There is strict sex segregation in Keralam, especially in buses.
The front door is for ladies and the rear door for men. When I travel with my wife, we separate; no contact being possible during the journey.
In Delhi, the rear door is for entry and the front door for exit, for both sexes. Sometimes I get confused
Once my daughter, with short hair and wearing shirt and jeans, accompanied me, on our way to Palakkad. We both entered from the rear and sat in the back row. When we started talking, the fellow next to her, realized that he is sitting close to a female. He stood up immediately and sought some other seat, as if she is a leper !
Once, I got into the bus from the front and sat in the first seat available. Afterwards, when I realized my mistake, I found my neighbour sitting tight and uncomfortable, trying to reduce her volume as much as possible. I got up and felt embarrassed.
My wife and I were returning from Kadampuzha Devi temple in Malapuram district, which is a favourite temple for me. As soon as the bus came, I got in, assuming that my wife will also get in from the front. Afterwards, I could not locate her among the ladies and so got off at the next stop.
When I returned to our starting point in an auto, I was surprised to see no one at the stop. Where is she?
As there is no point in lingering there, I came by the next available bus. I was alarmed as I was having only some small coins, my wife being the treasurer. I could get to Kuttipuram, the nearest rail point; we had to return to CS puram gramam near Palakkad.
The only way was to travel by train without ticket. I knew that my wife is more worried because she is unable to travel alone.
I got down at Valancherry and waited anxiously. At long last, she appeared and we both were relieved. As usual, she blamed me and I abused the Kerala habit of different entry for male female.
On one occasion, while traveling in a town bus, a lady invited me to occupy the seat next to her. There are sane elements in Keralam too !
The front door is for ladies and the rear door for men. When I travel with my wife, we separate; no contact being possible during the journey.
In Delhi, the rear door is for entry and the front door for exit, for both sexes. Sometimes I get confused
Once my daughter, with short hair and wearing shirt and jeans, accompanied me, on our way to Palakkad. We both entered from the rear and sat in the back row. When we started talking, the fellow next to her, realized that he is sitting close to a female. He stood up immediately and sought some other seat, as if she is a leper !
Once, I got into the bus from the front and sat in the first seat available. Afterwards, when I realized my mistake, I found my neighbour sitting tight and uncomfortable, trying to reduce her volume as much as possible. I got up and felt embarrassed.
My wife and I were returning from Kadampuzha Devi temple in Malapuram district, which is a favourite temple for me. As soon as the bus came, I got in, assuming that my wife will also get in from the front. Afterwards, I could not locate her among the ladies and so got off at the next stop.
When I returned to our starting point in an auto, I was surprised to see no one at the stop. Where is she?
As there is no point in lingering there, I came by the next available bus. I was alarmed as I was having only some small coins, my wife being the treasurer. I could get to Kuttipuram, the nearest rail point; we had to return to CS puram gramam near Palakkad.
The only way was to travel by train without ticket. I knew that my wife is more worried because she is unable to travel alone.
I got down at Valancherry and waited anxiously. At long last, she appeared and we both were relieved. As usual, she blamed me and I abused the Kerala habit of different entry for male female.
On one occasion, while traveling in a town bus, a lady invited me to occupy the seat next to her. There are sane elements in Keralam too !
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