A strange and beautiful experience. Indians, please help me!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205637)
Walnut Creek, California
May 26, 2019 12:32am CST
Something really odd and beautiful just happened tonight. I was sitting at my desk, listening to Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead (headphones), and saw two adult humans pass in front of me (my desk faces the window by my front door).
I didn't hear the knock (headphones), but answered the door, and saw before me two beautiful Indian woman in saris, one holding a baby. The other held a piece of chocolate cake.
It quickly became apparent that they didn't speak much English, but it was equally clear that they were offering me the piece of chocolate cake. I accepted it, and said I would have it with milk (I'm actually sipping red wine, as well as coffee, right now).
One of the women misinterpreted my mention of milk as an offer and said "No, thank you." I massaged the baby's left foot (I hope that's OK) and heard, "Only three months."
There was a feeling of warmth, love and trust as we stood there, but I was also befuddled. Why are these woman I've only waved at (from my truck), and with whom I have never spoken, at my door?
If you have any answers, please help me! Is there a tradition, in some parts of India, of bringing "gifts" to neighbors when a child reaches 3-months? I just had a great experience, and I am going to savor it, but I actually have no clue what just happened.
18 people like this
16 responses
@few00cent (2183)
• India
26 May 19
There is tradition of giving sweets to neighbours and friends on special occasion like birth of baby,marriage,festivals etc.Usually people offers sweets/dishes to everyone in neighbourhood even if they never talked before or knows somewhat to them.
I believe It was due to some child ceremony..first haircut,naming baby,etc etc Indians have so many of them...Lool.
on other hand...you can see it as one of the way to get known in surrounding...the purpose of all these hindu ceremony is that...to share your happiness with your surrounding and communication.
5 people like this
@arunima25 (85269)
• Bangalore, India
4 Jun 19
We have different traditions and rituals across India. Here the diversity is so much that it's not an exaggeration that culture and language changes ( local dialect) changes in a matter of miles.
Different communities have different rituals at different stages of life. And some of them in first year are ( in different communities it might be different) naming ceremony, ear piercing, first solid food by child and so many. Some people even consider certain number of days as auspicious ones. It maybe 6 days, 21 days or three months.
One common practice is to distribute sweet among friends, family and neighbors and to seek blessings for the child.
3 people like this
@skysnap (20154)
•
26 May 19
@TheHorse india's culture changes every 200 miles... each state has different language. same religion people but different rituals.. different method of food cooking etc... so yes, it's possible that the birthday of that boy could be celebrated after 3 months.
3 people like this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
4 Jun 19
@TheHorse There is particular language for each state (we have 29 states in our country), it is not necessary all should know the languages of other states. (may be they belongs to different states) . Hindi is commonly speak among all, here again all are not well versed with Hindi, even though Hindi language is taught in all school as a compulsory language except in Tamil Nadu state, they may not be able to converse in Hindi. So English is the only language all can use.
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 19
It's funny. There are more Indians here (at my apartment complex) than people from any other country, including the US. But Indians speak so many different languages, I often hear them talking to other Indians (if they don't know them well) in English.
2 people like this
@parpande (1515)
• Bangalore, India
2 Jun 19
@TheHorse India has a diversity in languages and culture. For a baby there may be countless occasion to celebrate in the country , the belief varies from one state (province) to the other state .
My wife is from the State UP (Uttar Pradesh aka North State) and I am from MP (Madhya Pradesh aka central state) , after marriage even I realized that for a baby the mother`s brother needs to offer expensive gifts as gold or jewelry in my spouse`s culture.Well, I never heard of it as it does not happen in the place I hail from.
To your question , I would say there are many different occasions people would celebrate while the baby is 6 months old but I am not sure of any 3 months things as I never heard of that.
2 people like this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
4 Jun 19
Thanks for the suggestion, for Keralites, the naming ceremony will be at the 27th day or 29th day (after the delivery). In some cases, it will be on 55th day or 57th day. Then giving food (rice food) that will be conducted in temples mostly. The expenses for feast on naming ceremony will bear by mother's family and there after all expenses by father's family. At naming ceremony, the gold ornaments should be given by father's side.
2 people like this
@resukill22 (25052)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
26 May 19
Your lucky to meet them
2 people like this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
4 Jun 19
There may be a friendly visit and offer sweets on getting a baby. It is usual to distribute sweets on getting babies.
In your case I too don't have an answer, there is nothing celebrate at the age of 3 months. May be they wish to give a treat to you on the happiness of new baby and they got late.(May be due to hesitation, they become late to do the gesture). Just sharing what I felt, I may be wrong.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
27 May 19
First things first. No Indian who has settled in the US would have difficulty speaking in English and therefore I find it strange why these were fumbling
I find it also strange that without knowing you they just appear at your door!!!!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
26 May 19
i think such's wonderful 'n see that'cher query 'twas somewhat answered below. neighbors used to do these sorta thingies back'n the day 'n i wish such 'twas still true. sorta...dunno why i penned that coz i dunno 98% 'f the folks out here now.
that bein' said, i told the hubs we ought to get a side 'f beef'n 've a bar-b-que 'n 'nvite all these folks o'er. he jest rolled 'is eyes 'n said, "lets not". he's met most'f 'em coz he's a social butterfly 'n thrives'n 'ttention...
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
26 May 19
@TheHorse this fella's not a shy bone'n 'is body 'n'll speak to any'n e'erybody. fer myself, i'm way more reserved. 's i get older, i find i still prefer the company 'f critters :)
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 19
@crazyhorseladycx In general, gimme kids or critters. But I feel like I'm getting friendlier (or better able to fake it) in my old age.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
27 May 19
That is interesting. Must be part of some tradition.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 May 19
You accepted their children when you and Horse jr. were playing. A thank you from them.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 19
@andriaperry That may be the case. I do not know.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 May 19
@TheHorse But still, they seen your kindness.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
26 May 19
Maybe they appreciated your friendliness. I don't know about such traditions, but here, when a baby comes to your home for the first time, you can offer the baby some gift or just a little money, even a small amount as a sign of goodwill for the child.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
6 Jun 19
Every area in India has different traditions and cultures. So it is hard to figure what was that meant for. Maybe they wanted to celebrate the 3 mobth birthday of the baby
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Jun 19
@amitkokiladitya I love holding them once they reach 6-months of age or so.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
6 Jun 19
@TheHorse this is good. Small babies are always adorable
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
26 May 19
I would assume it is from the kindness you have shown and paid attention to them, and concern. Be grateful and Happy for them.
@xander6464 (40871)
• Wapello, Iowa
28 May 19
That is a nice custom. I wish strange women would bring me chocolate cake. Maybe I should move to India.
1 person likes this
