Originally Posted by
GUWonder
The OP is American. Trying to paint a picture based on the FTer's ethnicity or religion rubs like racism.
Sorry, I didn't see that the OP was American. Even so, however, as
DS37 pointed out, at least one set of parents is in India, which historically does have a caste system. Doesn't mean that they're of Indian descent, I know, but it does at least raise that possibility.
As I said above, we can pretend that the world is other than it is, but that doesn't help us understand what's going on. I'm in a country where, from time to time, I see signs at the entrances of restaurants/bars which say some version of No Indians Allowed. I don't agree with that, but it's a fact here.
Originally Posted by
GUWonder
Would it be any better or worse to try to blame the hotel owner for something "Greek" ... ?
It's not about better or worse. It's about understanding the situation as it is. I'm in Thailand right now. Thai culture results in people tending to be non-confrontational, even when there are problems. It's not good/bad, better/worse, right/wrong; but it is something of which you need to be aware when dealing with Thais.
Originally Posted by
GUWonder
Having parents in India -- or Indian parents -- doesn't make an American any less American.
True, but if the OP (or spouse) was raised in India, moving to the U.S. doesn't automatically change values which have been inculcated since birth.
Also, I fear that we're straying pretty far OT; so perhaps we should consider bringing this conversation to a close lest we get dinged (justifiably) by a Mod.