When we travel, there is usually
an unwritten code of conduct which I try to enforce with the kids. But of late, I am seeing a new set of code of
conduct, and there seems to be a complete role reversal in enforcing this! The
kids, with the wisdom of You tube channels and more travels in their decade of
existence compared to my entire life time obviously think they have to take
care of poor Amma. But I hold adamantly
to my stand asserting my rights. Sample
this role reversal and my (mental) responses:
Dont pack food or snacks for
flight – you have to manage with what they give (what?!)
Dont take frequent loo breaks in
the flight – it is embarrassing (Oh my gosh)
Dont be goofing around with all
the babies we come across (Hmm ... I
miss the times when you both were like that)
Dont carry any book that is going
to make you giggle while reading in flight (I generally tend to carry only such
books on long flights to overcome my discomfort!)
Can you not squat in flights and
trains and restaurants? (Impossible for me)
Dont ask too many questions to
the guide in the tour (I find this the most difficult to comply)
Do we all need to be in the picture
that we take? It is not done to ask some
random person to take a photo of us – better buy a selfie stick (I always thought
requesting somebody to take a picture is the opening line for some interesting
cultural exchange conversation while travelling)
Any sight that requires us to
stand in a queue is not worth our attention (my ‘dropped’ list is longer than ‘To
see’ list; and the husband smugly says, All the more reasons to come back!)
Try not to break anything in the restaurant (I did! why do they have to cramp in so much cutlery on that tiny table?)
And the list goes on! It is so
unnerving to see them actually watching over me to check if I am following the
rules: as though I was going to sneeze
in Sistine Chapel at the Vatican!
Of course, I rebelled most of the
times, except Sistine Chapel! But I got pulled up there too, for apparently I was gaping at the ceiling!
