Sometimes when I hear some judgments or anecdotes passed around by our beloved desi aunties I am bewildered. It's a serious decision whether to cry or laugh in response. Instead I am dazed.
We are caught up in a desi aunty regime and some of us at the end of so much flak? So before I start pouring in the ridiculousness I have one word to all these statements made: Absurd.
So here it is; lights, camera, toxicity!
Beta Kitna Kama Lete Ho? (How much do you earn)
This has to be the most asked question. Might be even more asked than ‘what is your name’. Our desi aunties think asking personal questions such as someone’s salary is okay and the utter judgmental take on one’s personality on the basis of salary is our society’s forte.
Kitna Rang Kharab Hua Hai (How tan are you)
Ofcourse, this physical attack is a must. The most ruthless comments on someone’s skin tone and highlighting someone’s biggest insecurity has been done to the extent of normalisation. You would be beaming and chatting at a tea party until an aunty reminds you of your tanned colour. Duh!
Shaadi Late Nahi Ho Rahi Tumhari? (Aren’t you late for marriage?)
Yet another low blow by our desi aunties. This is the dire need to know someone’s relationship status. A particular age window is conventionalised time for marriage. One year older and they are gushed up with questions about marriage.
Depression Jese Koi Cheez Nahi Hoti (there is no such thing as depression)
The whole hubbub around mental health and yet some of the conventionally minded people call it a myth. It is about time we stop taking mental health with a pinch of salt and recognise the horrors that tag along it.
Larkiya Itni Unchi Hasteen Achi Nhi Lagteen (Girls don’t look good laughing out loud)
The most queer statement is how laughter volume above a particular level is not acceptable. And how gender discrimination is pinched to something as innocent as laughter.
So which one of these have you heard? Or let it be: which one of these have you heard the most? Kudos to us who have operated in these deep ‘desi’ waters.
