Differences Observed Over Vacation ... part 1

Our vacation to England served so many purposes
that it is hard to list them all. Inclusive of
these ... and I won't discuss the obvious joys
of vacations .. are a renewed appreciation for, in
fact enjoyment of, cultural differences.

For example ...
On arriving in England I had to visit the restroom
to change my son's nappy. All stalls in the
spotless bathroom were available for use, there
was an infant changing table available, and
everything was automated (toilet flushing, water
from the tap, soap dispenser, hand dryer). There
were 2 attendants there, one cleaned the stalls
and the other stood around staring at nothing in
particular. Both wore wearied frowns and neither
spoke a word to anyone.

On arriving in Mumbai I had to visit the restroom
to change my son's nappy. Three of the 6 stalls
in the run down and not very clean bathroom were
unavailable, I had to change the nappy by balancing
my son between two sinks, and nothing was automatic
so I had to clean my hands one at a time.
There were 3 attendants there, sitting on a sheet
on the floor. They sat in a circle, in the middle
of which lay 3 plates of food and a pile of naan bread.
The three chattered away, laughing and smiling as
they ate their lunch in the middle of the bathroom
floor in an airport that serves a city of 20 million
people.

Then, at that time, I felt surprised. But 2 weeks ago, before I left
this all would have seemed normal.