Reading these interesting posts and just have to add my two cents or two pice. From my own experience growing up in the sub-continent, I can tell you that many Anglo Indians were probably the most snobbish ones. Arvind is absolutely correct in his observations. However, we can see much of the same taking place with some of the Asian community in the West. A refusal to integrate into their new communities, retaining the dress and customs of their home countries. This is leading to resentment and anti immigration policies. As Anglo Indians retained the language and western customs, it was quite easy to integrate. This is just my humble opinion based on my experience. No offence to anyone. Charles Dique Arvind has started an interesting discussion thread here - I didn't think he was being unduly critical about the Brits, simply making an observation of fact! > Granted, the early Brits in India may have been a bunch of > toffee-nosed snobs, **************Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com! (http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus00050000000112)

I do not agree with Charles Dique calling the Anglo- Indians the most snobbish. The Anglo - Indians blended well in the Indian way of life. We ate the Indian food, relished it and still do, (what a variety ..... Each state has its own specialities .....tasty, mouth - watering dishes...and the delicious aroma) even though many of us are living in Western Countries. We studied the regional language of the places we lived in India and can speak and write it with fluency. The Anglo Indians blended well as they were able to watch English, Hindi, Tamil , Malayalam movies and enjoyed it. What a choice. We still continue to watch the DVD's and our children love the movies, Indian cuisine, etc.. Nothing much has changed . We have blended well with the Eastern and Western cultures.and proud of being Indian no matter where we live. We have also adapted well into the country which we call Home and love it and we also regard India as Home. The Anglo - Indians can adapt well to any country as we were brought up with the best of both worlds .......Eastern and Western. Maureen B

> Arvind is absolutely correct in his observations. However, > we can see much of the same taking place with some of the > Asian community in the West. A refusal to integrate into > their new communities, retaining the dress and customs of > their home countries. As I was standing in the shower was pondering this further (better than singing in the shower) and realised that the refusal to change and adopt the customs, habits and dress of the new land arises from the desire to retain both ones own and the group identity. The national peer group ensured that change did not happen, by ridiculing those who "went native". As the conquering or dominant power an immigrant group can get away with it, but as Charles points out when the immigrant is not part of the ruling group this refusal to change is seen through different eyes - as a refusal to integrate. Sylvia