I've worked in India and the US for 2-3 years, each. I think I need to decide soon where I'm going to settle. If I don't go back to India soon, I'm likely lose my ability to progress in Indian business / career. Now, I am yet to meet an Indian guy "contented" in the US (Seattle, Bay area, Portland). They seem to be constantly torn between not being able to take care of parents, not being able to buy Bay area home, kids midway between Indian and American culture, relatively small social circle (compared to India), etc. On the plus side, most of you may not make that 500k USD salary (purely due to market reasons) in India, have better infrastructure (roads, cars etc). Most 35+ year old people I worked with in India appeared happy and contented. That genuine loud laughter, that calm and peaceful nature all seem missing in the US. In Bombay, we'd walk out of office for a snack, get that streetside stuffed-dosa or some vada pav, joke about stuff... these people continue to be my closest friends to date. Relationships and friendships started in the US appear very artificial - "Heyyy how was your weekend?" "Great, we went wine tasting and strawberry picking". It's especially strange to hear this "how was your weekend" from Indians who grew up in my own home state. Heck I fell ill for a couple of days in the US, it felt so lonely... despite having a lot of friends nearby. 40+ year old Indian men in the US, are you contented? If you could go back in time, would you still choose to stay in the US? (I know Indian women may have a different viewpoint, I'm hoping to hear specifically from men. Sincere apologies in advance. No woman in my life right now, I have the luxury of solving purely for myself)
Why would Indian women have a different viewpoint according to you? Just curious
Great question, but it's too real for anyone here to answer honestly, even with anonymity.
This. And if someone accepts it, they'll ask themselves why aren't they doing something for themselves about it. The follow up questions in their mind are not worth answering here.
Osjelxqi, What do you mean, are you saying they're not contended but wouldn't want to discuss more about it?
Your post proves my point about diversity: Cause let’s face reality, if you’re white I bet you hang out with white ppl on the weekend, if you’re Indian then with Indians, Chinese with Chinese, etc. and there is nothing wrong with that, research has shown we like to associate with people that look similar to us. It’s in our DNA. Do you see zebras running wild with horses in Africa? Do you see chimpanzees hanging out baboons? Do you see giraffes eating together with elephants? No, they stick with their own kind. TL;DR: Indians are happier when they hang out with other Indians. Op is just another data point.
Lolol copy paster. Forgot to include link to your post?
Poor example. Those animals have reproductive isolation. We’re all humans.
@OP you asked and answered yourself...just read your post again.
Hmm... I don't get it?
Read it again. The secret is in there... Somewhere..
American here, let me help. > not being able to take care of parents Lots of great retirement homes in the Bay Area. Consider visiting several of them, I’m sure you will find the perfect one for your parents. > not being able to buy Bay Area home This is a tough one. For myself, I had to save up quite a bit to afford a pretty nice house in Mountain View. This took several years though. What helped was just busting my ass at work, getting promoted, and getting a lot of refreshers. > kids midway between Indian and American culture This is actually simple. Kids born and raised here will naturally adopt the dominant culture which, of course, is American. So you don’t really have to do anything. Just let your kids be. > relatively small social circle I suggest taking up some hobbies that require socializing with other people. Rec centers almost always have adult leagues. For myself, I joined a basketball league for 40+ aged men. I met people from all sorts of backgrounds (Mexican, African, Filipino, Russian, Chinese, etc). I’ve greatly expanded my social circle and now I almost always have at least one party invitation every weekend. It is great!
Thanks for the detailed reply. Guess I'd want to avoid the retirement home if possible. My parents live amidst a huge social circle today - my mom meets and talks to at least 30 different families in a week. I guess I'd want them to live in my house. On adult leagues, this is something that concerns me constantly about the US. In India, you become friends with someone purely because they went to school with you or work with you. US seems to need an active seeding and cultivation of 'friendship', maybe I get used to it over time.
Good advice from Google
You need a vada pav friend in the bay area. That's it.
Man I'm trying to get 40+ guys opinions. Maybe it'll be useful for you too..
So in all honesty, what if you had a bunch of your best friends from college out here whom you'd socialize with on a regular basis. Do you have such a network back in India now? When was the last time you lived in India for a month? Give it a thought.
Please kindly do the needful.
Which, for you, would simply be to shut the beep up.
Blind is littered with Indians...
Go to sleep pajit, you’re drunk
Nice username kernel girl! Didn’t know Salesforce works on kernels Hahhaa
Kernels exist in many systems. Hahahs? Moron.