My brother's Visit....

After 18 years of living in the USA, my brother came to visit me.

He was only here for 4 days. His company sent him over on a business trip, so he convinced them to let him come visit me. I think the trip was generally a good one. The kids had a good time with him - They only have one maternal uncle and they never really get to see him - unless we go and visit. And - he gave them one thing that can make any kid's day - money!

So - we didn't really do much but shop. Apparently, he could not go home without bringing His wife and kids specific things that they had asked for. So, we shopped - pretty much all the time he was here. After the malls closed, we hung out and talked. The family is pretty much the same - high maintenance as ever. Everyone has issues and opinions. Everyone disapproves of things someone else is doing. The fine art of minding your own business totally escapes Indians. I have no clue why one needs to have an opinion about other people’s choices in spouses, friends, hobbies, career choices, clothing etc, etc... But they do. Ask any one in my family - they will tell you very clearly why they don't approve of someone else in the family's wife, the fact that they like to dance, the clothes that they wear, the fact that they married people from a specific part of the country, their taste in friends, etc. etc.

Well - all I have to say is that the short and very mall-ish visit reminded me why I left the Country....Every one is generally very sweet - but cannot stop complaining about the most irrelevant and mundane things - constantly!

The trouble is - he really liked the US - so it looks like he actually might want to immigrate.... My American dream has the potential of turning into an Indian nightmare...