Anyone here returned to India with a non-Indian spouse?

wellington · Post by **wellington** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:57 am

Hi Folks,

My first post here. Hats off to the Administration for running such a useful, civilized forum. I've already spent many happy hours reading the various diaries. Transporting.

OK, a little about me: I'm a PhD in Immunology and currently faculty (Asst Prof) in a US University. My wife is from Vietnam, but largely raised in the US (she came here when she was 9). No kids, and don't plan on any either. I'm seriously considering a return to India in the next few years, most likely in an academic capacity. Wifey's on board, and we'll (or at least she will, and I may join in occasionally) likely oscillate between SE Asia, India and the US in the beginning.

Is anyone else here married to a non-Indian, and, if so, were there any particular adjustment issues? I'm from outside Ooty, by the way: born and brought up in the Nilgiris. Ideally, we'd just like to retire to my nice house and orchard outside Coonoor once we have enough money, or I'm through with academia. She been there once (for a month-long holiday) and loves the area, so I'm not worried about that. But I'm not sure about the rest of India: Bangalore, Madras etc. where my future job might take me.

Sid · Post by **Sid** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:05 am

This thread might be of some/little help

http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/21143-I-am-from-India-%28wife-is-from-Sri-Lanka%29-..moving-social-politics-issues

spartan · Post by **spartan** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:10 am

I'm not sure if you have seen this funny popular blog /website

The Difficulty of Being Married to an Indian

http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/2009/04/the-difficulty-of-being-married-to-an-indian/

She is from australia living in India, but the culture shock and other issues may be same to a person from america.

wellington · Post by **wellington** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:33 am

Sid_earth and Spartan: the links are much appreciated!

Funnily, my wife may fall into a category half-way between the SL lady and the Aussie one, in terms of 'foreign-looking'. She looks like she's from the North East, actually. In fact, on our previous visit to Ooty, she spied a bunch of girls from Meghalaya studying at a local college, and they eyed each other from across the street like a National Geographic Special in which a member of one species sees others of its kind for the first time after being raised by humans in captivity!

boca · Post by **boca** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:39 am

Your sense of humor is appreciated. Welcome to this forum! :)

FYI. There is another member from Ooty on this forum. He is a very nice person with a great sense of humor as well.

OurGen-X · Post by **OurGen-X** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:01 am

Welcome to the forum, Wellington-bro!

Now that the previous poster has put some enormous pressure on me, especially with reference to my senses, I must humbly acknowledge the intro. **you know how humble we Ooty-people are, don't you?** :wink

Anyways, good to have you on board. I'm sure we'll interact on the forum aplenty! :)

Imissindia · Post by **Imissindia** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:36 am

My wife is American of Latin origin. Haven't returned to India yet but we have visited several times and have spent up to 4 months per trip. No particular issues beyond language, a little cultural difference here and there and extra interest from gawking people in some areas. Usually people are quite nice to foreigners in India even though some people can be a bit too curious which can seem pushy to some. If we respect everyone equally, we can always get by- if I have the right to visit a place and look at people and their area, they too have the right to be curious about me!

wellington · Post by **wellington** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:52 am

Kind words, Boca and OG. Thanks. I suspect OG's sense of humor will come in handy given the traumatic way in which our beloved hills are being violated. I'm glad I found this forum, and am already soaking up all the financial planning info like a 7 AM Annapoorna idly in hot sambhar!

farfromhome · Post by **farfromhome** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:16 am

Welcome aboard. Wellington (not your id :) but the one near Coonoor) is beautiful place.

You shouldn't have any worries in Tamil Nadu. It's Vandharai Vazhavaikum tamizhagam (Poorly translated as : Tamil Nadu provides living to anyone who comes here)

Here's what our Ooty forum expert had to say about Udhagamandalam. Do add in your 2 cents when you get a chance.

http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/16195-All-about-Ooty!

wellington · Post by **wellington** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:38 am

FFH: Glad to see that Wellington Barracks has already received some attention on this forum! You're right - I never realized how lucky I was growing up in a ten-mile radius of Wellington, fishing, playing tons of cricket, and eating literally diarrheal amounts of wild berries during my holidays. I'll certainly add to OG's Ooty thread when time allows.