Namma Bengaluru-- A boring City??

[Lakshya]

So happened to be in Bangalore for two days… You can call this is my first visit to the city. Also got small glimpse of southern culture by visiting this city. Well generally they says when you visit someone's home even if you don’t like it you should appreciate. But what the hack for me it was totally boring place! I had a very different mental impression about this Silicon Valley of India-- like bustling/happening city and very lively people.

Now don’t get me wrong idea is not to bash this city. I can bash my own city much more than Bangalore. We can start from my own neighbor who has 7 German cars and now I know horn of each car without even looking at his car. That bugger entire family honk so servant can come out and pick the grocery bag, tiffin box, school bags, briefcase and what not.

But anyway primary reason for not liking this city could be can’t associate with quietness and the culture. And my observation of the city is for very limited area-JP Nagar- Jaya Nagar Mkt. And I am directly comparing this city with loud city Ahmedabad, which is approximately 60% of Bangalore.

My few random observation as an outsider for this city…

First observation while coming from Airport to main city, guys are peeing on side of the road. May be they took Swatch Bharat concept literally by watering side of the roads. I thought that’s Delhi culture. (Near ITO you will see big line). Surprised to see that in Bangalore. ( Must be NI guys)

Open Drainage!! What the hack! This city has been discussed so much by world Media and I am sure many visitors from Western county must be visiting here and I found open Drainage at many place. I have only seen open drainage in small town of Gujarat and that to many years back, so I was not expecting open drainage system in city like Bangalore.

Now this one hit me hard—Quietness. At lease place I was staying was a nice apartment which had a swimming pool, playground Gym etc. But my cousin 10 year old daughter had no one to play. ( May be all kids were busy in preparation of JEE) No one knows anyone! Once you come out of apartment on common area you have to keep your tone down. And this apartment had a mix gentry. In parking no one says high hello when you are staying in same building. Any home improvement work can be done only between 9 to 5 and no weekends. Opposite to that in Ad when I opened my wife closed apartment, entire building came to know that I have opened Apartment! And tea-coffee-snack was served by different neighbors. My guess this could be because of mix population in Bangalore and not able to established sense of community due to different cultures.

Roads are narrow. I heard lot about Bangalore traffic. But primary reason could be around this residential area is narrow roads. I found roads to be very narrow compare to Ahmedbad. And that could be the main reason for this chaos. Now compare to Bangalore Ahmedabad traffic is haphazard. But relatively wide road moves traffic and parking is not a big issue, where I can see parking in this area was a big issue. Especially Shops in middle of residential area may be creating more issue. Surprisingly road near Sri Sri Ahsram was like a small village Road. If that is an outskirt of city I was expecting at least 4 lane roads with divider.

Dull city—Now I am sure around IT park and near that Vijay Mallya (Road/Mall whatever) must be happening place. But this place was kind of dead in late evening. In Ad you go in any area you can see traffic on main road till 11.30-12.00 easily. Many eatery place are open till 3 to 4 AM. For e.g we went to some coffee shop around 10-10.30 in Blr and one was closed and second one was about to close. In Ad I went for tea around 1.30 near my home and 50 ppl were sitting at tea stall. And around 5.30 in morning you find people visiting Tea Stall-That include girls with BF- Other Friend etc). May be more good for nothing ppl in Ad compare to Blr.

Religious/ Traditional Culture. – Not criticizing but this is general observation. It appears ppl in south are much more religious. I found so many temple and in area. It appears God worship or visiting temple is part of their daily routine. So many guys were selling flowers in morning. Even Marriages are taking place in Temple. Also saw women with lots of Gold Jewelry. That tells Dowry still exist and guy in Google or Microsoft in US must be fetching good money form Girl’s Dad. Speaking of temple I think Brahmins are consider kind of Elite in this part of India. Somehow I sense that but I could be wrong. Like in temple Brahmin make and serve food, one restaurant of MTR I heard Brahmin serve food. I also so few Brahmin family in one of the MTR and you can sense they try to act little differently. I by myself is Brahmin but no one give a damn to us in Gujarat. Even someone one was cooking for me at my home was from lower caste of UP.

Also found strong sense of preserving their language and culture. Only one board at Airport I found in Hindi. I heard on Metro people objected anything to be written in Hindi. Now I don’t understand what’s a big deal about that. When city is on global print many ppl form other part of India will visit your city so at least few basic sign should be in Hindi. My mantra is If Swahili getting business then write everything in Swahili.

Now What I like in city, lots of Trees and Parks! And weather. We miss this big time in Ahmedabad. There is no concept of Public park in Ahmedbad. I also found footpath relatively empty with no street shopkeeper in undesignated area. In Ahmedabd you will find tea stall- pan Shops food stall on almost every footpath. Side walk was relatively free of this all nuisance. Safely wise I can’t comment much because Ad is probably safer than Bangalore but what I heard let’s say you forgot your bag in Cab-Scooter etc very likely it will be at same place and no one will touch that.
City is much better than any NI city. And I must say my views from very limited observation during my short visit. Though According to my cousin he failed to make good friends in local because that acceptance is not there. Ending up having friends circle of NI-Gujju guys only.

On lighter note they still consider Gujju & Marvari are same. They are not. In business Marvari beat Gujjus. Gujjus are big spenders and Marvari are not. And yes Gujjus are not always behind your money. Probably first time in Bangalore history one Gujju shell out Money for Kannada--While coming from Airport in Airport-Bus, one young girl forgot or lost her purse. Everyone in bus were busy on their laptop and phone, I always like to observe people and I saw this girl visibly tense… Came to know her situation and paid for her ticket…. That was a nice Welcome!!

I think member Rbee is visiting both cities frequently so she could shed more light on my comparison and correct me.

Anyway —Namma Bengaluru-- A good City but not for me....

[crazyforger]

Takes time to build a circle.
Its just too early I guess.

[direstraits88]

So your cousin didn't show you the top sights of the city?

Like driving through this frothy lake.

[post_r2i06]

Two days .. too short to come to any conclusion.

In our apartment ( and many of our friends apartments) its a big challenge to find where kids are.. they come , throw the bags, eat something and run out to play. We know other apt dwellers through kids(i.e. that is XXX's father and so on) and an occasional society meetings.

Yes - its good that you found city to be quiet.. like it that way!. No remodelling/heavy duty drilling in evenings/weekends. No loud music.. do whatever you want without disturbing others is the motto of most apartment's rules. Thus, keeping to oneself is also one's choice. I don't know my immediate neighbours but know few others.

There are few old areas of Banaglore ( that have aging population(kids in US, parents here)) such as Malleswaram, Rajaji Nagar, Jaya Nagar, Basavangudi, Vijayanagr, JP nagar etc. where you may not find too much happening in evenings. The crowd there wants to get home and watch serials. But if you drive around in BTM, Marathalli, Indiranagar, White field etc around 11 PM, you will see party crowd. The people in these areas live in suffocating PGs and spending time outdoors is more pleasurable to them. Police force the shop keepers to close by 11:30 PM - 12:00 am!!

[sfmommy]

I had to answer this - I grew up in Ahmedabad, lived in the US for 18+ years and am now back in Bangalore since 2 years...so yes I do compare both indian cities often.

Some things I loved about Ahmedabad:
1. Food: I am a South Indian who grew up in Gujarat and assimilated quite a few of the local tastes. The Gujarati stuff they serve in Bangalore is pretty sad (and why do people call it Gujarati/Rajasthani - two different cuisines!).
2. North Indian food and chaat are not great here at all. I really miss these here.
3. Roads are definitely better in Ahmedabad - traffic is worse though. And people in Bengaluru honk a lot less than the people of Ahmedabad. It is one of my pet peeves to hear the honking and I don't honk myself when driving/instruct cabbies to minimize theirs as much as I can.
4. People in Bengaluru may seem to be religious but frankly I think they're much more open and communities mingle a LOT better. Case in point: Everyone's out on the streets for iftar during Ramadan/Id times. Couldn't find that in Ahmedabad as easily growing up - the divide is much larger and communal riots were always a worry. I love this about the people of Bangalore.
5. People in Bangalore are proud of their city and their level of civic awareness is MUCH higher than many other places in India IMO. This might be because of the large population of people who have come from all over India and the world to live here but it makes it (slightly) easier to take the pollution in the city.
6. The place is much greener than Ahmedabad though I think newer areas have been badly planned with none of the green area that was done in older areas.
7. Weather is awesome - I love the fact that it is so much cooler here :).
8. As far as making friends goes - we have friends who are from all over the country/world here. My daughter has a lot of playmates and we've been lucky to find a great community. I have however heard from friends and colleagues that their children don't have playmates in their societies etc - not sure why. But that is typical of a large city - I am sure that the same happens in Mumbai and Delhi as well.

Hope this helps. I wouldn't dismiss Bangalore so easily yet based on a two day visit.

So happened to be in Bangalore for two days? You can call this is my first visit to the city. Also got small glimpse of southern culture by visiting this city. Well generally they says when you visit someone's home even if you don?t like it you should appreciate. But what the hack for me it was totally boring place! I had a very different mental impression about this Silicon Valley of India-- like bustling/happening city and very lively people.

Now don?t get me wrong idea is not to bash this city. I can bash my own city much more than Bangalore. We can start from my own neighbor who has 7 German cars and now I know horn of each car without even looking at his car. That bugger entire family honk so servant can come out and pick the grocery bag, tiffin box, school bags, briefcase and what not.

But anyway primary reason for not liking this city could be can?t associate with quietness and the culture. And my observation of the city is for very limited area-JP Nagar- Jaya Nagar Mkt. And I am directly comparing this city with loud city Ahmedabad, which is approximately 60% of Bangalore.

My few random observation as an outsider for this city?

First observation while coming from Airport to main city, guys are peeing on side of the road. May be they took Swatch Bharat concept literally by watering side of the roads. I thought that?s Delhi culture. (Near ITO you will see big line). Surprised to see that in Bangalore. ( Must be NI guys)

Open Drainage!! What the hack! This city has been discussed so much by world Media and I am sure many visitors from Western county must be visiting here and I found open Drainage at many place. I have only seen open drainage in small town of Gujarat and that to many years back, so I was not expecting open drainage system in city like Bangalore.

Now this one hit me hard?Quietness. At lease place I was staying was a nice apartment which had a swimming pool, playground Gym etc. But my cousin 10 year old daughter had no one to play. ( May be all kids were busy in preparation of JEE) No one knows anyone! Once you come out of apartment on common area you have to keep your tone down. And this apartment had a mix gentry. In parking no one says high hello when you are staying in same building. Any home improvement work can be done only between 9 to 5 and no weekends. Opposite to that in Ad when I opened my wife closed apartment, entire building came to know that I have opened Apartment! And tea-coffee-snack was served by different neighbors. My guess this could be because of mix population in Bangalore and not able to established sense of community due to different cultures.

Roads are narrow. I heard lot about Bangalore traffic. But primary reason could be around this residential area is narrow roads. I found roads to be very narrow compare to Ahmedbad. And that could be the main reason for this chaos. Now compare to Bangalore Ahmedabad traffic is haphazard. But relatively wide road moves traffic and parking is not a big issue, where I can see parking in this area was a big issue. Especially Shops in middle of residential area may be creating more issue. Surprisingly road near Sri Sri Ahsram was like a small village Road. If that is an outskirt of city I was expecting at least 4 lane roads with divider.

Dull city?Now I am sure around IT park and near that Vijay Mallya (Road/Mall whatever) must be happening place. But this place was kind of dead in late evening. In Ad you go in any area you can see traffic on main road till 11.30-12.00 easily. Many eatery place are open till 3 to 4 AM. For e.g we went to some coffee shop around 10-10.30 in Blr and one was closed and second one was about to close. In Ad I went for tea around 1.30 near my home and 50 ppl were sitting at tea stall. And around 5.30 in morning you find people visiting Tea Stall-That include girls with BF- Other Friend etc). May be more good for nothing ppl in Ad compare to Blr.

Religious/ Traditional Culture. ? Not criticizing but this is general observation. It appears ppl in south are much more religious. I found so many temple and in area. It appears God worship or visiting temple is part of their daily routine. So many guys were selling flowers in morning. Even Marriages are taking place in Temple. Also saw women with lots of Gold Jewelry. That tells Dowry still exist and guy in Google or Microsoft in US must be fetching good money form Girl?s Dad. Speaking of temple I think Brahmins are consider kind of Elite in this part of India. Somehow I sense that but I could be wrong. Like in temple Brahmin make and serve food, one restaurant of MTR I heard Brahmin serve food. I also so few Brahmin family in one of the MTR and you can sense they try to act little differently. I by myself is Brahmin but no one give a damn to us in Gujarat. Even someone one was cooking for me at my home was from lower caste of UP.

Also found strong sense of preserving their language and culture. Only one board at Airport I found in Hindi. I heard on Metro people objected anything to be written in Hindi. Now I don?t understand what?s a big deal about that. When city is on global print many ppl form other part of India will visit your city so at least few basic sign should be in Hindi. My mantra is If Swahili getting business then write everything in Swahili.

Now What I like in city, lots of Trees and Parks! And weather. We miss this big time in Ahmedabad. There is no concept of Public park in Ahmedbad. I also found footpath relatively empty with no street shopkeeper in undesignated area. In Ahmedabd you will find tea stall- pan Shops food stall on almost every footpath. Side walk was relatively free of this all nuisance. Safely wise I can?t comment much because Ad is probably safer than Bangalore but what I heard let?s say you forgot your bag in Cab-Scooter etc very likely it will be at same place and no one will touch that.
City is much better than any NI city. And I must say my views from very limited observation during my short visit. Though According to my cousin he failed to make good friends in local because that acceptance is not there. Ending up having friends circle of NI-Gujju guys only.

On lighter note they still consider Gujju & Marvari are same. They are not. In business Marvari beat Gujjus. Gujjus are big spenders and Marvari are not. And yes Gujjus are not always behind your money. Probably first time in Bangalore history one Gujju shell out Money for Kannada--While coming from Airport in Airport-Bus, one young girl forgot or lost her purse. Everyone in bus were busy on their laptop and phone, I always like to observe people and I saw this girl visibly tense? Came to know her situation and paid for her ticket?. That was a nice Welcome!!

I think member Rbee is visiting both cities frequently so she could shed more light on my comparison and correct me.

Anyway ?Namma Bengaluru-- A good City but not for me....

[sfmommy]

I had to answer this - I grew up in Ahmedabad, lived in the US for 18+ years and am now back in Bangalore since 2 years...so yes I do compare both indian cities often.

1. Food: I am a South Indian who grew up in Gujarat and assimilated quite a few of the local tastes. The Gujarati stuff they serve in Bangalore is pretty sad (and why do people call it Gujarati/Rajasthani - two different cuisines!).
2. North Indian food and chaat are not great here at all. I really miss these here.
3. Roads are definitely better in Ahmedabad - traffic is worse though. And people in Bengaluru honk a lot less than the people of Ahmedabad. It is one of my pet peeves to hear the honking and I don't honk myself when driving/instruct cabbies to minimize theirs as much as I can.
4. People in Bengaluru may seem to be religious but frankly I think they're much more open and communities mingle a LOT better. Case in point: Everyone's out on the streets for iftar during Ramadan/Id times. Couldn't find that in Ahmedabad as easily growing up - the divide is much larger and communal riots were always a worry. I love this about the people of Bangalore.
5. People in Bangalore are proud of their city and their level of civic awareness is MUCH higher than many other places in India IMO. This might be because of the large population of people who have come from all over India and the world to live here but it makes it (slightly) easier to take the pollution in the city.
6. The place is much greener than Ahmedabad though I think newer areas have been badly planned with none of the green area that was done in older areas.
7. Weather is awesome - I love the fact that it is so much cooler here :).
8. As far as making friends goes - we have friends who are from all over the country/world here. My daughter has a lot of playmates and we've been lucky to find a great community. I have however heard from friends and colleagues that their children don't have playmates in their societies etc - not sure why. But that is typical of a large city - I am sure that the same happens in Mumbai and Delhi as well.

Hope this helps. I wouldn't dismiss Bangalore so easily yet based on a two day visit.

[hermes]

You visit just for two days and quickly brand the whole city as boring?:)
American media says so many things about India in general, probably to appease India for being the largest importer of weapons in the world. This will explain the open drainage and bad roads all over the country. The income tax money and GST is going to wrong people and wrong place.

[SamSan]

Bangalore.. a boring city? May be... to a visitor (I doubt the competence of your guide who took you around? :-) )Jayanagar, JPNagar are residential areas and are in north bangalore, happening places are mostly in the heart of Bangalore like MG road or south Bangalore where ITPL, White Field is and hence you will see younger crowd.

To me... its home (I grew up in Jayanagar) and nothing beats home :-) . Although I love the Bangalore I grew up in about 30 yrs ego, which was much quieter, much greener and way more pleasant (weather wise) than it is right now.

[Hyderabadi]

I lived in Jayanagar 4th block for 9 months. I loved it. Marvelous variety of food. Nagarjuna was my favorite. Icy Nicy, Dosa camp, etc were all in walkable distance from my house. The weather was fantastic, almost like airconditioned and controlled. This was in 1995.

MG road was a nice place to hang around and commerce street to check the PYT's out. :)

Any city or place becomes fun when you have a nice set of friends. All alone even NYC can get boring.

[nineyearson]

I lived in Jayanagar 4th block for 9 months. I loved it. Marvelous variety of food. Nagarjuna was my favorite. Icy Nicy, Dosa camp, etc were all in walkable distance from my house. The weather was fantastic, almost like airconditioned and controlled. This was in 1995.

MG road was a nice place to hang around and commerce street to check the PYT's out. :)

Any city or place becomes fun when you have a nice set of friends. All alone even NYC can get boring.

ooh, if you think there is any similarity of any place in Bangalore between 1995 and 2017 other than the names, kindly visit once. This is probably true about most places in India too.