Monday, June 18, 2007
"At least now you have something to blog about"
I haven't updated my blog with any personal stories for a while now, and up until recently my blog wasn't even functioning. Well, I'm going to try and post more regularly from now on. The truth is that not much is going on. I work 5 days a week, and when I'm not working I spend time with my family and friends. I won't blog about the funny stuff that happens at work, because that wouldn't be right.
Today I went to the Sukh Sagar Nagar Kirtan, and along with my cousins, set up a table for dental information at the "Free Medical Camp" tent. The "camp" consisted of the three of us with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and some dental literature. There was also a physician who brought some write-ups on different medical conditions. It was a lot different from what I envisioned. But still, I thought this would be a nice way to educate people on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
The first individual who came to our table was not happy. He made some suggestions about what we should have done,and what we were doing wrong. At first I thought he was kidding, but he just went on to describe the ways in which India was better than Canada... something about an issue he had with his own dentist, and how to resolve something here one would need to go to court and hire an expensive lawyer, but in India even the poor are able to threaten to kill someones family member and get justice. He did have some valid points, and he seemed pleased with himself at the end of our conversation. My cousin left the tent laughing hysterically during one of his stories. I'm sure he noticed but he just kept on going. It was so weird.
Things got better after that (how could they not?). Most people wanted to know if they could have their blood pressure checked. I thought this was a valid request, considering the sign said "Free Medical Camp", but we didn't bring a cuff, and neither did the physician. One elderly man asked us what we were doing (in Punjabi). We told him we were providing dental information, to which he replied "I don't have any teeth, can you check my eyes?"
I think the funniest comment came from a middle-aged woman. She asked about what we were doing. Again, I told her we were here to provide dental information. She asked if that was all we were doing, I told her "yes". Then she asked "What if someone has pain?" I, with concern in my voice, asked her if she did have a toothache or a problem, thinking that I could help her by giving her possible explanations for her pain. She quickly responded "No" with a confused look, surprised that I thought she had a toothache. At that point her and her friend started laughing.
The title of this post is what my cousin said at the end of the day, but I don't think I'm articulate enough to provide the true essence of our experience. You really just had to be there... it was funny, it was sad, it was rewarding, and frustrating all at the same time. That being said... I can't wait until next time!
Today I went to the Sukh Sagar Nagar Kirtan, and along with my cousins, set up a table for dental information at the "Free Medical Camp" tent. The "camp" consisted of the three of us with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and some dental literature. There was also a physician who brought some write-ups on different medical conditions. It was a lot different from what I envisioned. But still, I thought this would be a nice way to educate people on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
The first individual who came to our table was not happy. He made some suggestions about what we should have done,and what we were doing wrong. At first I thought he was kidding, but he just went on to describe the ways in which India was better than Canada... something about an issue he had with his own dentist, and how to resolve something here one would need to go to court and hire an expensive lawyer, but in India even the poor are able to threaten to kill someones family member and get justice. He did have some valid points, and he seemed pleased with himself at the end of our conversation. My cousin left the tent laughing hysterically during one of his stories. I'm sure he noticed but he just kept on going. It was so weird.
Things got better after that (how could they not?). Most people wanted to know if they could have their blood pressure checked. I thought this was a valid request, considering the sign said "Free Medical Camp", but we didn't bring a cuff, and neither did the physician. One elderly man asked us what we were doing (in Punjabi). We told him we were providing dental information, to which he replied "I don't have any teeth, can you check my eyes?"
I think the funniest comment came from a middle-aged woman. She asked about what we were doing. Again, I told her we were here to provide dental information. She asked if that was all we were doing, I told her "yes". Then she asked "What if someone has pain?" I, with concern in my voice, asked her if she did have a toothache or a problem, thinking that I could help her by giving her possible explanations for her pain. She quickly responded "No" with a confused look, surprised that I thought she had a toothache. At that point her and her friend started laughing.
The title of this post is what my cousin said at the end of the day, but I don't think I'm articulate enough to provide the true essence of our experience. You really just had to be there... it was funny, it was sad, it was rewarding, and frustrating all at the same time. That being said... I can't wait until next time!
Comments:
By Gurpreet Singh, at
6/18/2007 5:26 PM
By Novtej, at
6/19/2007 7:40 AM
By , at
6/26/2007 7:59 PM
