Ever since Annabelle was born we have been stopped in the street for people to pinch her cheeks, bless her, tell us what we’re not doing right or how she should be dressed. As frustrating as some of these things can be, it is fair to say that Indians, as a nation, love babies. And what’s more, the men seem to be the most interested.
The gentleman sitting next to us on the plane had Annabelle out of Matt’s arms before we could even sit down.
We really noticed this when we went on holiday to Kerala a couple of weeks ago. The gentleman sitting next to us on the plane had Annabelle out of Matt’s arms before we could even sit down. He was chatting to her about the journey, showing her the workmen outside the plane window and generally having a whale of a time.
The staff at the hotel where we stayed was equally enamored with Annabelle but once again it was the men that seemed keener to hold her and interact with her. Our waiter, Philip was just adorable. He would take our order, bring our drinks, bring our food and then take Annabelle off for a walk around the restaurant, into the gardens, chatting away to her. It was very sweet to watch.
When the boat was anchored up for swimming he had Annabelle wrapped in a towel in his arms, he wouldn’t let her go!
Even our driver, watchman and ‘sweeper’ in our building coo over her, chat to her, click their fingers in her face (yea, that’s pretty annoying!). I am always surprised how the women will come over take a peek and walk away but the men are the ones to stop and chat, or try and interact with Annabelle.
We have just returned from holiday in Dubai and were once again impressed by the level of interest the Indian men took to Annabelle (and my sisters baby boy). We hired a boat one day and the Captain was Indian. When the boat was anchored up for swimming he had Annabelle wrapped in a towel in his arms, he wouldn’t let her go!
Indian men have taken a bit of rap in the media lately, but it’s fair to say there are many kind and gentle men out there.
