Blog #9: Normal Things

Settling into life in a new place can be weird, but I often forget how quickly I adjust to the new “normal.” Things that would have surprised me or caught my attention in the past become mundane, sometimes completely unnoticed as I navigate my new day-to-day life. Because I’m tired and keeping this short, and because it’s kind of funny, this is just a list of random things I take for granted that I never would have even thought about prior to moving to Bangalore.

- Autos (rickshaws) are yellow on top and green on the bottom.

- “Stick No Bills” is painted on nearly every wall outside, and means no hanging posters or signs on it.

- Street signs are written in Kannada (the local language) on top and English on the bottom.

- People drive on the left side of the road!! Which means…

- “Cars are backwards!”- Sarah (The driver’s side is on the right.)

- A line is called a queue, and doesn’t actually exist here.

- When you order just a plain coffee, it’s pre-sweetened and already has milk in it.

- The Indian head bob is very real and it means yes/no/maybe/I don’t know/I don’t care.

- Sandals are acceptable footwear for any outfit.

- Trash is everywhere and unavoidable.

- Motorcycles are for more than just 1-2 people. They are family transportation!

- Not spicy still means spicy.

- Honking is an acceptable signal for anything while driving.

- A lot of places won’t give you change for a 500 or larger rupee note, but the ATM will give you only 500 or 2,000 rupee notes.

- Bowing with folded hands and saying Namaste is a very real and amazing greeting/farewell.

- Literally cows are just everywhere.