I'm flying back to Delhi in a few hours, and I found out only last night that Paan, the groom of the wedding, apparently has arranged for me to stay at his house, in this village of only 60 houses that doesn't even exist on a map. I really have no other choice than to accept this invitation, anything else would be considered rude.
Cue slight panic, not only because I have no idea what this entails (is there electricity? Do they have running water? Will I be sleeping with the chickens?) but mostly because I feel like I need/want to bring a gift to him and his family as a show of my gratitude. (According to custom I'll also give the bride and the groom some money in an envelope)
Now, finding an appropriate wedding gift is a headache in any normal occasion, but what do you give to an Indian man, who you only know by proxy, but who will treat you as the guest of honour at his wedding?! It has to be a special, but useful gift, not too cheap but not too fancy. Because every one will be asking: what did the white girl give you?
I debated this with the Indian man at the internet, the other patriots at the internet, the owner of a silk shop, and some other random people. Finally I decided to buy a green silk bedcover, and give it to his mother, and then she can do what the heck she want's with it. I'm nervous already.
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