I am not sure about this article, but I am +ve that there is corruption ( way too much ) at Indian airports. I remember
1. the guy who places my suitcase on the x-ray belt ( for scanning ) demand for money in chennai airport.
2. To take international KLM; I needed to change airport (mumbai) domestic to international using KLM bus ( for KLM passengers ) . the "helper" wanted 500 rs bribe to get my suitcase ( that was in the cargo section of the bus )
3. after the last check, just before i came in to the boarding area, the local police/security asked me how much (Indian rupee) money I had and demanded for chai pani.
Well it happened in India so you want to tab it as "Corruption" but here we are doing the same or experiencing the same. What do you do when you go to restaurants here? You tip the waiters.. It is also then corruption.. Particularly in "Indian Restaurants" they bluntly demand the "Tip". Here from the moment you land on the airport, you are brainwashed about "Tipping tradition" and you start pretending liking and not screaming "Corruption" why? Tipping is meant for appreciating the "help or wait" what you receive from the waiter. In India if that porter may not demand then you would suck his blood for free and so they have to demand. Rather try one thing next time when you go to India. Before porter demands anything give him a hint of "Good Appreciation" and behave little nicely, you would be amazed the level that man will go to help you. Here what we are doing "lobbying".. Is not that corruption?
I have lived in the south, east coast and west coast and have been to numerous Indian restaurants! Also, i am not sure if you are aware, but restaurants are a special case when it comes to tipping... waiters are paid much below minimum wages by the government... It is generally assumed that they will make the money through tipping!
I have also lived in 9 states covering all directions here... I would not say I experienced this demand everywhere but yes at some of the places I experienced that.. If tipping is validated here on the basis of low wages then it goes true for the potter on Air port or Railway station in India as well. You, me and all of this forum know that truth... Right? Then only fact remains is that "NRI" screams for the potter in India but do not have guts to scream against waiter in USA.
Tipping is validated by the US government for US only, not the entire world... It is their tradition... How can validation of tipping here by the government and people of US have any bearing on validition of tipping by Indians/NRIs in India? Doesnt make any sense! If you are talking about attitudes of NRIs... well then it has got nothing to do with whether you are NRI or not... Infact there is hardly any dignity of labor in India. We all know how poor people in menial jobs are treated... When I was in India I was guilty of such treatment myself... It was only after I came to US and worked at University cafeteria as a bussboy did I realize my mistake... So I make it a point to treat everyone with respect despite their jobs or status be it US or India... I am not sure if, this would have dawned upon me had I stayed in India!
As Ginnu said the corruption is everywhere in India... When was the last time you had to pay someone to get your University transcrips or your credit report! I am sure the answer will be NEVER... Despite all its inefficiencies, imagine if USCIS was in India... the IO officers in India would have become millionaires! I am not of the view that everything about India is bad and everything about US is great... But there are lot of good things about this country, else we wouldnt be sitting here trying to get a green card!
Bharatpremi,
You nailed it down to the center. Excellent viewpoint and i'm totally with you.
Thanks. That is the truth and truth is not always sweet.
Na Sivaley , Na Harm na Kalash Jhootthey hain
Bus thoda sa tum jhottey ya thoda sa hun jhoothey hain!!!
Khushi hoti hain un logon say mil kar
jo auroon say thoda kam jhoothey hain!!!
May nay to suna hi nahin un ko boltey huey
kon kahta hai merey sanam jhoothey hain!!!