My trip to the US of A - part II

In continuation of my earlier observations, I want to share some more of my impressions of the US here-

* People here don't drink water from taps. They have devised anti-gravitational fountains to drink water from and are quite adept at it. I have so far not been able to defy gravity and whenever I tried to do so , the water landed in my eyes, nose or on my face but never in my mouth. This explains America's supremacy over the rest of the world in rocket science.

* Things are considered antique not by their antiquity but by their not being in the US. Plz see the pics here to understand what I want to say. Americans are welcome to India to see elephants and Belans!

* I found some billboards very amusing as a first-timer to the US, though people living here may find nothing unusual in them.

* Also either there is a shortage of names or so it seems to me (when it comes to naming places etc.),--->

* One fact that has left me completely impressed is the special care and respect they hold for disabled, small kids and their mothers by being very considerate to their special needs. There is provision for taking prams to almost every public place; there is always at least one big enough toilet in the rest areas for mothers to go in with the small kid/pram; there is  provision of a spread for baby-nappy changing in rest areas; for shopper mothers in the departmental stores, some trolleys are equipped with baby seats; there are reserved parking places (nearest to the entrance) for the handicaps....

* Last but not the least, I have understood the meaning of gender equality here in true sense. Hats off to the American woman! 

Diary Of A Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield

I have just finished reading the book. I read the book because my daughter had related the lead character of the provincial lady to me and it raised my curiosity.

I find the book very natural, amusing and sometimes hilarious. I think it  gives quite a true idea of the life of a middle-class house-wife anywhere in the world. It is a tough job to manage to meet the  expectations of the family members, servants, social circle under all pervasive psychological and financial strains.

The writing ( largely autobiographical ) becomes interesting and witty because of the frank and honest admissions of the English lady of her thoughts (thought bubbles rather) about various people and situations.

Makes a simple reading but full of wise one-liners as the bottom-line.To quote a few-

*."Why do all schools have to run up new buildings about once in every six months?"

* "Are modern children going to revolt against being modern, and if so, what form will reaction of modern parents take?"

* she wonders 'Social success is seldom the portion of those who habitually live in the provinces. No doubt they serve some other purpose in the vast field of creation--but have not yet discovered that." :)

All her mental notes in the form of  queries, memos or conclusions are either witty or humorous or plain messages. Illustrations of characters match her descriptions quite well and prepare ground for the humour.