Sundar is making a list of the stuff to give to hard-to-buy-gifts-for parents, in-laws and grandparents. Another aspect of the immigrant experience ... there are several points to balance: it should not be available in India, should work there (for example: 110V applicances are out), should not violate the elderly's concept of what's appropriate (harder than it sounds), should not depend on a computer (texting is more popular than email in India because most folks don't have broadband access), should not be too expensive (after converting dollars to rupees, although with the booming Indian economy now this rule's not inviolable).
I think that some one should make a list of the things you should not give even if it is something you enjoy. These are lessons I have learned from the unalloyed look of annoyance from the intended recipient. Feel free to add to this list in the comments.
1. Dark chocolate. I love chocolate with 70-80% cocoa. Apparently, it's an acquired taste.
2. Rolled (old-fashioned) or steel-cut oats. Also an acquired taste. Just buy the quick-cooking stuff.
3. Home-baked cakes and cookies. "Not at all sweet."
4. Henckels or Wustof's knifes. "Too expensive. And besides, an aruhamanai is a lot more convenient and can be used without standing up."
5. Watches whose face and wristband is not gold-hued. "Silver looks cheap. Who wears silver?"
6. Dark-hued shirts. "It's okay for youngsters like you but old people like us have to look decent."
7. Electric shavers: "Not smooth enough". "Give it a few weeks." "But I look like a rowdy"
Reading this post was like watching a Bollywood movie. Thanks for the laugh!!!
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