Culture vs. संस्कृति

The customs and cultures prevalent in America and India seemingly differ as told in "Interpreter of Maladies." For me, this story was especially captivating because it encompassed two things I thoroughly enjoy learning about- love and culture. As far as culture goes, I think there is an overwhelming amount to learn about love from places around the world in the way they treat their spouses, children, families, relationships, etc. I got a taste of differing worlds in this story. First- falling in and out of love is universal, as are "the bickering, the indifference, [and] the protracted silences" of some marriages. However, in India, marriages are commonly arranged. Clothing differs: "Foreigners," or Americans, wear "stiff, brightly covered clothing and caps with translucent visors." Mr. Kapasi was accustomed to his tailored trousers and jacket-styled shirt "made of thin but durable synthetic material." Where Mr. Kapasi simply pressed his palms together in greeting, Mr. Das vigorously shook hands in the American way. Mr Kapasi can't grasp the fact that Mr. Das addresses his wife as Mina when speaking to the children. The Das family acts more in a sisterly-brotherly manner rather than the traditional husband, wife, children arrangement. Of course, the driving situations and seating is different; I hope I never have to drive in a foreign country!
In more of a symbolic setting, the scene where Mr. Das peers out one window and Mrs. Das out the other represents the differences in their interests and even the status of India versus America. Mr. Das marvels about India, captivating its people and animals in pictures. He seems unchanged by the emaciated man and bullocks on the side of the road, a poverty not uncommon in India. Mrs. Das represents the American side of things, aware of the poverty or other culture but remaining unaffected, focusing on an easier setting of "transparent clouds passing quickly in front of one another."