Comparisons- In a lighter vein.

I got the idea of writing on this topic, whatever I knew, after reading the blog posting - World Cup Rugby- of my friend Bobster in American-Statesman, who writes his views under his blog - http://bobster.statesmanblogs.com/.

I thank him for this through this blog posting of mine.

It is an inborn trait in us to make comparisons of anything and everything that exists. It could be between individuals, between things, between countries, between people, between practices, between ways of living, and so on. We form of our views, which could become issues in due course. We debate, argue on them that may lead to agreement or disagreement. It could lead to verbal duals, physical duals, and duals that go on eternally. This way life goes on.

But, what is essential is that we thinking humans must accept and be aware of these differences and respect them as they are. Our thinking then becomes saner, rational and suddenly life becomes to appear beautiful to our eyes.

Why not? Variety is the spice of life, available plenty in India.

Let me compare.

Greeting

To begin with: The British say ‘Hello’, while America says ‘Hi’. In India, we say ‘Namaste’ (in Northern parts) or “Namaskaram” (In southern parts- other variants also are popular depending upon the region) at the time of greeting.

Traffic

The traffic in UK moves on left side of the road, while it moves on the right in USA. The steering wheel is on the right in UK, and left in the USA. However, an exception to this rule is made for the postal Vans in USA for convenience (!). An interesting explanation for this difference was given in one of the programmes of “Discovery Channel”. It goes like this:

The Cavalry (mounted on horses) use to move on the left with horsemen holding swords on the right - by convenience as majority of them were right handers- and over the years traffic moved on the LEFT in Britain.

The Americans, defying English Traditions kept the traffic moving on the RIGHT, and soon, the Europeans (Rivals of the British Empire) followed the American practice. But, the Britishers, as per their wont, continue to move their traffic on LEFT.

A Classic Example of the proverb “What is one man’s meat is another man’s poison”.

Game

The FOOTBALL game as played in Latin American Countries, Europe, UK and other countries is called SOCCER by the Americans, to distinguish between their own Football game, which with little variations is called RUGBY in the commonwealth and European countries.

A friend of mine was scratching his head as I went on describing these games. In exasperation he retorted “Why can’t they (Americans) call the same”? Simple! They want to be different, innovative and want the world to indulge in comparisons!! And above all, want others to follow them!

Now, compare the game of Cricket and Baseball. Cricket is a very popular game in commonwealth countries. Baseball too is played in some of these countries, but is more popular in USA, and Japan with enthusiastic following. Cricket game is played between two teams with eleven players on each side, and in baseball too the game is played between two teams but with nine players on each side. Both are a Bat-ball game. Yet the shape of the bat and ball is vastly different.

In Cricket, traditionally, a Batsman has a stylish stance- a posture by the batsman standing and holding his cricket bat while facing the delivery of the ball, whereas in Baseball, the batter stands with a different posture. The design of the bats is different.

There are stumps in Cricket, which are absent in baseball.

The pitcher in baseball stands and throws the ball at the batter for a hit, whereas in cricket, a bowler runs in and bowls to the batsman. An umpire stands behind the stumps at the bowler’s end in Cricket, and in baseball, he stands behind the batter and the Catcher.

The rules and the way the games are played is not within the purview of this blog, but comparisons are made to have a chuckle!

Language

American English is different from the British English. Some words have different spellings. There are ever so many languages with different dialects. Remember the film- My Fair Lady? - Based on the play - Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. How Professor Higgins struggles and succeeds in making a flower girl change her way of speaking cockney accent of English to that of English spoken by The Ladies of High Society.

Likewise, the accent of English language spoken or broken (!) worldwide is very interesting to the Ears of Connoisseurs. But then, one can always raise a question - Who is a connoisseur? An Englishman, An American, An English speaking Canadian, An Australian, A New Zealander, A South African, An Indian. It’s anybody’s guess.

Scripts Some languages are written from left to Right, and a few of them from right to left. Yet, the aim is to communicate.

Tailpiece: From the book “International Dictionary of Idioms” (Cambridge University Press) Comparison: to seem less serious or less important when compared with something else. I thought I was badly treated but my experiences pale in comparison with yours.

Understanding: I never thought that languages were particularly important, but living abroad has certainly brought home to me how useful they are.

Musings in Hibernation.

During retired life, I tend to slip into contemplative moods quite often. This is more when I am inactive, and even more, when I am suffering with a terminal disease.

I am aware that this mental state is not really good for my health. So, I hop on to some other habits of mine- like Reading Books, Reading articles online, watching good old movies on the DVD player, and occasionally conversing with friends who drop in regularly. I also ponder on what topics to be posted on my blogs. As I shift on this habits cyclically, one of them interests me and I tend to dwell on it a little longer.

Oh! Yes, during the past three months, I have been watching live coverage of Cricket/Tennis Matches on TV. There were plenty of them. We Indians are pretty emotional at heart. The result of Cricket matches has a direct bearing on our moods, more so when India is playing. Since two decades, Indian women have shown enormous interest in the game of Cricket. They must have felt the need to know a little more about Cricket, to answer incessant phone calls of their dear ones from the work spots to know about the latest score.

The Twenty-Twenty Cricket World Cup won by India recently lifted their interests and raised their decibel levels while watching these matches live on TV. My wife is one of them. It was exciting to sit by her side and watch the pulsating finish of the matches.

Well, an Alsatian dog in an apartment next to my house also raises its decibel levels at least three to four times a day, barking continuously for five minutes or so each time. An old cat slowly and majestically walks on the dividing wall amidst these dins. A year old boy of our servant maid contributes to this cacophony with his cries, moaning and mumblings.

Surely, I pass through this torrid time every day. Over a period, I got used to it. I cannot resist, so I endure it. All of them are God’s creations. They have a right to exhibit their emotions. I see and hear all these through my Windows- A different operating system!

This time I dwelt a little longer on my reading habit, keeping aside others for a while. I bought a few books through amazon.com during my last visit to US, for my reading pleasure. As I have plenty of time these days, I read a book slowly.

I finished two chapters of Barack Obama’s Thoughts on reclaiming the American Dream he penned in his book- The Audacity of Hope. I find it interesting so far. He is articulate, worked his way up to where he is now, and may possess the credentials to get presidential nomination from his party. The race between him and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton seems to be heading for a close finish. The world is certainly watching. And right now, America does require a person of great vision, and whoever becomes the President, has to choose a team of competent and good leaders. A lot has to be done and the world is certainly expecting.

The world scenario today is far different from what it was five to six decades ago. The aspirations of people in any country, be it Brazil, Venezuela, USA, Belgium, France, Middle east countries, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, China or any small landlocked countries in African Continent are, to exercise freedom of speech; demand for better living conditions; and to have a type of governance they, as a majority desire. The potential leaders have to take note of this. The Politicians have to reform themselves.

The philosophy to rule is simple- Follow the policy of Live and Let others live. Otherwise, there will be conflicts. As the interests of each country are so interlinked with other countries, policies cannot be thrust. Compromises, adjustments are a necessity for co-existence. This can be achieved only through diplomacy.

I was delighted to receive a Printed copy of the Sunday edition of the newspaper- The Tribune (www.tribuneindia.com/) from its chief editor, as a compliment on my request, as its printed edition is not available easily in Hyderabad. This Newspaper, with its head office In Chandigarh is about 120 years old and known for its objective reporting. Its language is simple and straightforward. I read this paper online along with others.

It is often said that things have to be done ONE at a time. It is true. But the thoughts keep whirling around disturbing. It’s always a struggle within the mind. Yet I enjoy going through this state.

Why? I get a chance to share my thoughts with you. I get satisfaction.