118 thoughts on “Further Conversational Excursions with our Community’s Future”

1. Funny, when I read the original post, my knee-jerk reaction was, “oh come on why they gotta be Gujarati?!” But hey, it’s a Kal Penn themed post so Gujarati IMers just fit the theme better…

   That and aren’t there far more Gujus in the U.S. vs. well, practically everyone else, except for maybe Punjabis? I googled for stats but I’m lazy so I’m giving up.

2. Stop seeing evil where there isn’t any.

   I by no means was inferring that this posting was evil or that every group represented in the conversation should be offended. We all have different senses of humor.

   My sentiment is that whenever we start poking fun at one another within the “South Asian” community, some discomfort is bound to arise due to the obvious barricades that each sect builds around themselves to differentiate and essentially compete with one another (my skin is lighter, my last name is less common than yours, etc…).

   It’s the same tension in the room that you sense when Russell Peters starts poking fun at certain sub-groups within the South Asian community. It’s certainly funny, but that residual feeling of other South Asians trying to get a “one up on you” remains.

3. it’s not easy to put yourself out there and whenever I try something “different” like this, I always almost hit “delete” instead of “publish”, but then my anxiety is my problem, not yours. I just want to remind some of you that there’s an actual, fragile human who writes this stuff, who takes these risks, who gets hurt when the criticism doesn’t come from a sincere or well-intentioned place.

   A N N A, you are a true artist. i heart u!

4. I love this guy. Haha

5. Well, teens in the US “talk” this way across ethnic communities, so I don’t really see that the ethnic marker here is significant. I didn’t see any suggestion that speaking this way was somehow associated with being Gujarati, or think for a moment about the characters being Gujarati or that the post was poking fun at them for being Gujarati. If anything was being made fun of it was American youth culture.

6. Ritam @ 38:

   Here is the answer to your question.

   Mishi @ 47 and everyone else who did not get it:

   This is funny, if you need examples, please look at comment #45 (hyperlinked for the busy people). And if you still do not get it, funny ain’t your thing.

   And ANNA, loved the Parada reference. 🙂 and keep going at this, in a short while you will have the script for a “confessions of a teenage KK fan”

7. I was there (see zadeblog )– and am here to say that Jhumpa Lahiri so did NOT look like she was gong to vom when KPM said Namasake/Gogol was as Holden Caulfield. Wishful thinking on part of Jossipers. They all showed unflinching solidarity, viz., some other oldster stood up and asked JL and MN what conflicts they had gotten into while adapting book into the movie , and they said, No, they had not gotten into conflicts and JL said she had given over the project entirely to MN, and that the movie was like a grandchild for her (JL), all pleasure no work.

   Anna, I especially love gurinder nair and jhumka lahri — you are on such a roll! –more, more more!!!!

8. Mishi @ 47 and everyone else who did not get it

   It wasn’t really a matter of not getting it for me, I was expressing my initial reaction/questions that this piece of written humor incited.

   Art is supposed to bother people.

9. u abortion, THAT IS HER NAME

   That. Is. So. Funny.

   I can’t breathe. I need to find an excuse to use that. ;0)

10. Too much funny here, it also got my amateur sociological hairs up a couple times

    but this comment line offers its own (inadvertent?) humor;

    Were these postings purposely intended to target the ineptitude of current day gujarati youngsters?

    As opposed to how well-liked and respected the “future punjabi community” is? Do you realize its common to assume a punjabi dude under 16 is a) a bhangra-rap gold chain wearing hoodlum (those words were actually written) and b) is trying to buy or sell mj at any and all times of day or night? c) probably can’t read, but does know the nearest police station by heart?

    what I would not trade for the end of this anti-punjabi blight!

11. The look on Jhumpa Lahiri’s face when he compared her book to “Catcher in the Rye” was quite delightful. I thought she might vomit on him onstage.

    Ha! She should be so lucky…if only she was a tenth as good as Salinger…

    Anna, “Jayaprada”? That was hilarious…you should write a movie script and it could be the desi Clueless.

12. As opposed to how well-liked and respected the “future punjabi community” is?

    My statements did not indicate that I was inferring that the author was stating that gujaratis have an inferior reputation to that of punjabis, or any other group. My question was whether the gujarati screen name/patel jokes were incorporated for a particular reason, and that:

    My sentiment is that whenever we start poking fun at one another within the “South Asian” community, some discomfort is bound to arise due to the obvious barricades that each sect builds around themselves to differentiate and essentially compete with one another (my skin is lighter, my last name is less common than yours, etc…).

    It’s the same tension in the room that you sense when Russell Peters starts poking fun at certain sub-groups within the South Asian community. It’s certainly funny, but that residual feeling of other South Asians trying to get a “one up on you” remains.

13. Yes, but my point is that, its quite unlikely there was a deliberate attempt to denigrate the gujarati community here, and also, its just funny how quick to rise people get when they’re community is “called out” even inadvertently.

    I agree with your last point. At one hand I think a “dialogue within South Asian communities” would be helpful, but on the other, the US diaspora at least is becoming mixed to the extent that our common touchstones are not specific to one community of the other

14. OMG! This is too funny. Now my coworkers are looking at me strangely for laughing too loud..thanks for a great post!

15. GujuHottiee120586: ima virgin u bitch sexxy5@biPrinc3ss ONLY CUZ U LET IT IN EVERY HOLE XCEPT THAT ONE! ROFLMAO!!!11

    ..if i just had a nickle for everytime I heard that from a desi loodki

    anna, this post has so many gems hidden. Gots to read it more than once

16. u abortion, THAT IS HER NAME

    That. Is. So. Funny. I can’t breathe. I need to find an excuse to use that. ;0)

    I so agree. Have to use this somewhere. hehehehehe. A N N A did you make this up? Is it copyrighted? It’s just too good. hehehehehe.

17. sexxy5@biPrinc3ss ONLY CUZ U LET IT IN EVERY HOLE XCEPT THAT ONE! ROFLMAO!!!11

    This stuff is making me laugh out loud — satirical and comedy genius

18. lol awsome stuff…love that O RLY owl

19. lol i just read that whole convo…damn hillarious..especially this:

    GujuHottiee120586: i like my name. it means friendly.

    sexxy5@biPrinc3ss if by “friendly’ we mean slutty

    GujuHottiee120586: ima virgin u bitch

    sexxy5@biPrinc3ss ONLY CUZ U LET IT IN EVERY HOLE XCEPT THAT ONE! ROFLMAO!!!11

    and how they both think kapil dev is from bollywood.

    BAHAHAHHA…oh god Anna i love it…oh and that “Meen” and “DIESEL” links are too good…hey Anna, if those pics are really urs..smoking body girl ;)!

20. RE: Mishi

    I dont think its a dig at any specific community, rather just showing funny internet speak..and its just not indian people, everyone does it..just look at internet message boards or other aim convos. The two people just happen to be indian people, and as this is a desi blog, it would be rather appropriate, dont you think.

21. This is among the greatest things you’ve ever done. Love.

22. Re: Mishi

    Blonde: I’m not, like, racist or anything. I just think racism is really funny! –Broadway Overheard by: Homeless Guy

23. I wonder if our kids will revert back to ‘normal’ talk when communicating, or if their version of IM-slang will be even worse than this!

    -Great post Anna! Needed the laugh =)

24. To the completely beautiful, kind and talented AUTHOR who sent this tip in anonymously via our news tab… with your permission, I’ll blow up your spot. Everyone should buy your new book. 🙂 And I’ll be over for that Malayalee food you promised for dinner on Friday, thanks P-molay. 😀

    Nothing gets past the Mutiny, does it ;)?

    And I am loving these IM-speak posts. Can’t wait for installment 3, 4, 5…

25. The look on Jhumpa Lahiri’s face when he compared her book to “Catcher in the Rye” was quite delightful. I thought she might vomit on him onstage.

    I think it’s important to note that she had this look on her face for the whole two hours, not just when KP was up there.

26. screw the haters, anna. The fact that they have to waste space by writing negative things that add nothing to the post, just shows that they are jealous of your talent. you’re writing is the reason i started reading sepiamutiny 2 years ago and your writing is the reason i keep reading.

27. The two people just happen to be indian people, and as this is a desi blog, it would be rather appropriate, dont you think.

    They didn’t happen to just be “Indian People,” their specific ancestry was made quite obvious, and the gujarati jabs and references were fairly overt in my opinion.

    It’s a matter of personal interpretation on whether or not the author was attempting to (purposely or subconsciously) ‘kid on the square’ by littering the exchange with potentially insulting jokes.

    And granted, they may be funny & hilarious on initial read, but keep in mind that many people come to this blog to seek a better understanding of & stronger connection to their “South Asianness” that may be lacking in their day-to-day existence. So this type of entry may be a great personal, creative leap for the author, but with that leap many readers, such as myself, may interpret this blog now being a place where

    whenever we start poking fun at one another within the “South Asian” community, some discomfort is bound to arise due to the obvious barricades that each sect builds around themselves to differentiate and essentially compete with one another (my skin is lighter, my last name is less common than yours, etc…).

    It’s the same tension in the room that you sense when Russell Peters starts poking fun at certain sub-groups within the South Asian community. It’s certainly funny, but that residual feeling of other South Asians trying to get a “one up on you” remains.

    the US diaspora at least is becoming mixed to the extent that our common touchstones are not specific to one community of the other

    It would be nice to believe that we have come this far as a community, but I don’t believe that we have, case in point- the need to differentiate between region of ancestry within the dialogues posted.

28. Mishi – you’re right. We’d rather be funny than nice, we’d rather be snarky than sweet as a jalebi. Sorry.

29. “They didn’t happen to just be “Indian People,” their specific ancestry was made quite obvious, and the gujarati jabs and references were fairly overt in my opinion.”

    I doubt most people reading it are thinking “Oh those stupid gujjus,” gujjus are the largest South Asian regional group, so that’s probably why she chose to make them gujju. The first thing that came to my mind was my first and last trip to bhangra blowout and seeing those girls in their element. I’ll concede that gujjus do get the brunt of the jokes, like being cheap etc. but I really think that’s more due to their being disproportionately represented-not necessarily cause of any malice or condescension.

    If the ethnic references still upset you, then just change GujjuHottie to MaluGangstabitch (AND YES! THAT IS A REAL SN I ONCE SAW ON MY FRIENDS BUDDDY LIST), sub the raita with curry, and sugar with coconut milk and there you go!

30. Haha…come to think of it, the best real sn’s that I’ve seen in high school and college have been MaluGangstaBitch, CutePakiMami, and my personal favorite of all time (although only Tamils and Telugus will get it) TheFineIyengar.

31. MaluGangstabitch

    hahaha — that’s the best one I’ve heard yet! The Mallu bitch of agangster in their fantasy!

    In their minds they see themselves as living in a world of rap videos or something. I’ve seen Punjabi_Pimp and Punjabi_Ho and stuff like that. When they log off the internet world they run downstairs and bow their heads down and do the housework like their mum and dad tells them. They’re so funny.

32. No need to quote yourself a second time, I think we all know where you stand, now that you’ve typed it once and pasted it twice. But hey, one more time for the cheap seats in the back:

    My sentiment is that whenever we start poking fun at one another within the “South Asian” community, some discomfort is bound to arise due to the obvious barricades that each sect builds around themselves to differentiate and essentially compete with one another (my skin is lighter, my last name is less common than yours, etc…).

    Is there anyone left, who is unclear on Mishi’s theory of inter-desi competitiveness?

33. you know what, its sad…gujjus, punjabis and mallus all have so much ethnic pride!

    I mean, come one Southies (non-Mallus) :))! When are we going to see TaMiL_gAnGsTa and Sexy_Andhra_Ho ????!!!

34. @Pondatti

    But hey, one more time for the cheap seats in the back:

    heheheheheh. LOL!

35. I mean, come one Southies (non-Mallus) :))! When are we going to see *TaMiL_gAnGsTa* and Sexy_Andhra_Ho ????!!!

    Actually, the latter lurks here often, but he demurely posts under his initials vs. his AIM sn. My bad. Just blew up his spot.

36. “Actually, the latter lurks here often, but he demurely posts under his initials vs. his AIM sn. My bad. Just blew up his spot.”

    Dammit! I was inspired by Anna’s post that I was going to change my SN to that!

    I guess Fly_MaDrAsI_MaMi will have to do….

37. Anna you’re fun and smart, the most beautiful combination!

38. Anna you’re fun and smart, the most beautiful combination!

    Anna, you’re also smart and beautiful, the most fun combination! 😉

39. I like Anna’s posts. I linked to one of them.

40. I haven’t had a chance to read all the comments. BUT as a Guju, I took no offense to this posting at all.

    People, it’s funny!

    GujuJamun1976: OMG, it ttlly made me LOL 😀

41. They didn’t happen to just be “Indian People,” their specific ancestry was made quite obvious, and the gujarati jabs and references were fairly overt in my opinion. It would be nice to believe that we have come this far as a community, but I don’t believe that we have, case in point- the need to differentiate between region of ancestry within the dialogues posted.

    Personally while your concern may be valid if Anna was running for Mayor of your town I think you are being mightly ridiculous having these expecations from a personal HUMOR blog post. Seriously your rant makes me want to say ‘get the stick out of your butt’ but I’m trying not to be a jerk but come on get over yourselves people. You expect political correctness in a humor post? Russell Peters is god, people worship him and everyone of every part of India loves that guy. What racial tension? Brown please…

42. I mean, come one Southies (non-Mallus) :))! When are we going to see *TaMiL_gAnGsTa* and Sexy_Andhra_Ho ????!!!

    Actually, the latter lurks here often, but he demurely posts under his initials vs. his AIM sn. My bad. Just blew up his spot.

    U have my sn rong, u dum ho!

    desichick — please, don’t let us stop you from signing up for Sexy_Andhra_Ho.

43. U have my sn rong, u dum ho!

    LOL!!!1 pwn3ed. my bad.

44. Mishi – you’re right. We’d rather be funny than nice, we’d rather be snarky than sweet as a jalebi. Sorry.

    Really, no need for apologies or submission to my opinions. I’m assuming at this point that the rule is that comments should remain nice and sweet. Also, if there is any confusion as to whether I’m a hater or a troll, that is certainly not my intention, however at this point I am wondering if I had encapsulated my comments with an obligatory compliment my presence here would be more well received.

    As unfortunate as it is, Al #17 is suddenly starting to make sense.

45. As unfortunate as it is, Al #17 is suddenly starting to make sense.

    You know, you were so decent, earnest and articulate, I almost felt bad for my excessive sarcasm. You didn’t seem like a hater or a troll…until you wrote what’s above. People pointing out flaws in your argument? Not = to kissing ass. Sorry.

46. You didn’t seem like a hater or a troll…until you wrote what’s above. People pointing out flaws in your argument? Not = to kissing ass. Sorry.

    disagreeing, and let’s take it to the extreme, making sense of an unpopular/or even trollish comment, does not a hater or troll make

47. People pointing out flaws in your argument?

    I have no issue with having a discussion on my comments, in fact, I thought that was the overall point of the comments section. I have yet to see statements other than “screw the haters” or inferences that I actually have an interest in saying anything personally negative towards the author.

    It was actually interesting to see that others that commented didn’t really take offense to the content of the posting, as I can imagine that other readers whose life experiences thus far has been being discriminated against more within the SA community than externally, may have spoken up and shared similar sentiments.

    As far as statements like

    your concern may be valid if Anna was running for Mayor of your town

    Are extremely dangerous in inferring that I can’t differentiate between the author’s creative license and artistic motivation to include specific details in their work, versus their personal beliefs or values.

    My reason for making reference to Al#17 was a result of statements like:

    Seriously your rant makes me want to say ‘get the stick out of your butt’

    I was operating under the false assumption that this arena was really

    Just an asshole-free zone

48. Even though I don’t agree with her, I feel bad for Mishi. I think there was an interesting discussion going on about what offends people, but then there was also some unnecessary snark thrown her way when I don’t think she said anything particularly offensive. She didn’t say Anna was a bad writer, or that she wasn’t funny, she expressed what she felt about the post. It’s not a viewpoint I agree with or can even identify with but I think she made it decently.

    It does seem like Anna’s posts generate some unprovoked haters, and perhaps that makes long time readers defensive, but Mishi doesn’t seem to be one of them. Mishi, you may really be alone in taking offense to the posting, but I support your right to say so.

49. Anna this is quite brilliant writing! It’ not only genuinely funny but quite clever and insightful. Its horrifying to think that an entire generation might one day talk like this. What was funny was that as I was reading your dialogue, the accents I heard in my head were the London Gujjus that I grew up with. I swear, I thought only British desi brats spoke like this.

    I have bookmarked this so I can study the lingo and understand my kids one day. Thanks!! 🙂

50. I have bookmarked this so I can study the lingo and understand my kids one day. Thanks!! 🙂

    There we go, a book on lingo and a movie about teenage desi kids. Do I hear ka-ching ka-ching?