Happy hours... In school!

I just got an invite for a student-faculty beer party in my department. Apparently, this is going to happen the first friday of every month. Wow! Leaving the beer factor alone, whats making me cheer is the idea that students and faculty can get together for an informal afternoon and have a good time. I don't think this would have ever been heard of in the home country. I am not looking to ruffle any sensitive feathers here. I hate people picking on India too. But I have to say this. The level of informality the phirangs achieve in the student-teacher relationship is phenomenal.

I was first shocked at students eating and drinking in class. I was wondering how the professor does not find it offensive. And the students, how could they eat and pay attention at the same time? I slowly got used to the idea, and now, I eat too. I find that I can pay attention better if I am not hungry and thinking about what I will eat after class. Maybe the guy who is teaching has the same thought.

Its not just the food factor ( although so far, all I have written seems purely alimentary). Its just the comfort level. I think that arises out of the fact that these guys ( my current teachers) don't need us to think they are superior to us. They may be or they may not be. Very often, they are. Teachers in India wewre superior to us too. Only, they made sure we knew it.

I may have made too many generalizations so far. But largely, I think I am right. I have thought about this a good deal. The individual systems seem to be traditionally established in India and the USA. I don't know much about cultural roots in the USA but I have wondered why the system is the way it is,in India. Are we experiencing the legacy of the gurukula? Serving the teacher and being obsequious? But surely, that is only our interpretation of it. If the teacher and all his students lived and travelled together, they surely would have developed intimacy and informality between them?Maybe that is what the pupils learn better and not the service factor.

Too much read into a beer party invitation? Maybe. But think about it. Beer may not be socially appropriate in India for a teacher-student party. I will therefore not elaborate on the number of awe-inspiring Medical College professors who have been seen dancing in advanced stages of intoxication during conferences. But have you heard of any department getting together with its students for, say, orange juice, every week?

I have had a great time in college in Bangalore and I am having a great time here. The only difference is, now I dont need to hide when a professor passes by beacuse I bunked the previous class. I can say "Hi, I went to Niagara falls last week. Can I clarify a point which you made last class?" And chances are, the point will be clarified. They even have alternate dates if you cant make it to class to a test. No questions asked.

The margin for error is simply great. It leads to a huge comfort level and their economy is not exactly suffering because of it. So, what do you say to saturday afternoon bajji parties in BMC?

PS: Looking to get bombarded with indignant patriotic comments. Dont disappoint me!!