Desi Spotting

My husband and I are planning our anniversary vacation. Each year we pick some fun, exciting place to explore and celebrate us. This year we have baby in tow, so we are looking to do something a little bit low-key. We try new things on each of our trips. Some things have included snorkeling, bird watching hiking, visiting the architectural wonders, taking in breath-taking views and always faithfully eating and sleeping like we have never done either activity before. However, one past time that is an old time favorite and goes way back to our childhood days is a game where we “Desi Spot”

Of course, the game is not officially called that or played in an explicit way but the idea is that where ever we go, we feel this intense desire to notice Desi’s around us and try to make eye contact with them. Most often they look away. Sometimes, we even try to guess what part of the subcontinent they might be from. I have often wondered why we partake in this activity. Is it something similar to counting the different license plates when you take a road trip?

To me I feel the need to do this because I need to connect with my community. It feels pretty neat to experience globalization in such a real way. I don’t seek to connect on some deep level, just an acknowledgment that we are country men and women. To see us out in Costa Rica, France or even in Utah is quite exciting. In fact, we met a Sri Lankan who owned a creperie in the heart of Paris.

So why do most Desi’s look away from each other? Everybody knows that each has seen the other, so why not just smile and nod to your fellow brother or sister? Why pretend?