How do people detect that you are an NRI?

[mobi]

When I am visiting India, I noticed that often others (people not known to me by anyway e.g. in shops) can detect that I'm from overseas. :e

I don't know exactly how they pick up the clues (even when not speaking in English and kids are not with me).

Did it happen to you guys? If yes, what traits of yours are giveaway clues for revealing NRI identities?

[dbs]

Nobody had mistaken me for a NRI, even when I was one.

Other NRIs especially women had been identified by the shopkeeper(s) even when speaking in 'thait' Punjabi. I had once asked the shopkeeper, how he knew. He said, generally female NRIs wear yesteryears' fashion and that identifies them. On further persuasion, he also mentioned that it is the way they walk and behave. But that was about 15 years back. Perhaps they have found new pointers since then.

[rajradio]

When I am visiting India, I noticed that often others (people not known to me by anyway e.g. in shops) can detect that I'm from overseas. :e

I don't know exactly how they pick up the clues (even when not speaking in English and kids are not with me).

Did it happen to you guys? If yes, what traits of yours are giveaway clues for revealing NRI identities?

I don't know what giveaway signs you have, but I am a full fledged desi. The following are the signs I see.

1. Getting surprised at rank bad drivers. This is a dead give away most of us in India just pray to God and start the ignition and don't care about anything.

2. NRIs convert rupees to dollars and say omg 14 dollars per dish in a restaurant. Most real estate and politicians lead a much more profligate life compared to most NRIs.

3.expecting bottled water and packaged milk to be pure.

4. Smile and wish random strangers. We have 1.2 billion folk in each other's faces the last thing I want is a new friend at 44 years. So we are rude generally.

5. Holding doors for the guys behind. This is dead give away.

6. Waiting for 10 seconds after the flight lands means, it has been atleast 10 years since u came to India. As soon as the flight lands u have push atleast 3 kids and 2 ladies to reach for your bag even though u spend another 15 min at the baggage belt.

[Desi2return]

When I am visiting India, I noticed that often others (people not known to me by anyway e.g. in shops) can detect that I'm from overseas. :e

I don't know exactly how they pick up the clues (even when not speaking in English and kids are not with me).

Did it happen to you guys? If yes, what traits of yours are giveaway clues for revealing NRI identities?

You constantly say thank you.....like someone gives out a glass of water and you say thank you.....bottle water.....nike shoes, sunglasses and shorts...trying to tip the server.....maintain distance when in a line and gets annoyed when someone rubs their stinky shirt on you when standing in line......also gets annoyed when jumps in front of you.....follow road rules and complains when others don't

[Dovahkiin]

somehow vendors can detect gullibility very easily, I often be a victim of that without any bargaining skill. As long as I am not going to a store I know since childhood, I would send someone else to get things for me i.e. fruits etc with no apparent MRP. Online shopping made it easy for me to buy other stuff.

[Dovahkiin]

You constantly say thank you.....like someone gives out a glass of water and you say thank you.....bottle water.....nike shoes, sunglasses and shorts...trying to tip the server.....maintain distance when in a line and gets annoyed when someone rubs their stinky shirt on you when standing in line......also gets annoyed when jumps in front of you.....follow road rules and complains when others don't

Even though I never been an NRI but its story of my life except for bottled water, replace Nike with cat/timberland boots and shorts with denim. Nothing irritates me more than stupid people not following traffic rules, Only time I use abusive words is when I drive.

[victoryjoy]

When I am visiting India, I noticed that often others (people not known to me by anyway e.g. in shops) can detect that I'm from overseas. :e

I don't know exactly how they pick up the clues (even when not speaking in English and kids are not with me).

Did it happen to you guys? If yes, what traits of yours are giveaway clues for revealing NRI identities?

You might be be behaving in a certain way. e.g extending the door open for some one. saying thanks for every small thing. standing in a queue even if you dont need a queue. it may also be related to the way you dress. or you may be criticizing india for pollution, traffic, hot weather etc

[ILuvHyd]

One can be suspected as NRI if they

Ask for free coke refills

Searching for seat belts

If they dare to drive
[LIST]

Stop at Red and Go at Green

Use the turn indicators

If they don't dare to drive

Yelling at the driver to slow down with a very tense face

Closing their eyes periodically especially during overtakes on a 2 lane highway

While shopping frequently lookup up thinking hard (converting INR to USD, it used to be much easier at 50 but little hard at 67)

Talking in a low polite voice
[/LIST]

[Old-Spice2]

Most of the NRIs have a blank/deadpan expression, have a very distinct eyes and the way they look. When I was living in India, I used to identify such people easily. Once they open their mouth then it is easy. The Brit and US NRI are different and can be identified.

Woman NRIs lose their native Indian charm and looks. First they don't wear bindis and the dress sense is different.

[miths]

Male NRI - too much respect toward in-laws. one of my cousin, he is like in-laws first, parent later. most of the time during stay, he will stay at in-laws place.
one of my friend, he was in a picture with just in-laws.
High enthu in changing diapers if with infants, participating in kitchen chores.
Carrying kid, a hand bag, diaper bag and a sipper while wife is shopping.
if need to attend H1 stamping, some kind of fear in face.

keep on saying excuse me.