India Bashing

[SAPPORO]

My DD wrecked the passenger side mirror, and I bought a OEM replacement part for $45 and had a handyman replace it for $15 labor. I replaced the driver side mirror as well for a consistent look for the same costs. Making the insurance claim would have increased the premiums more. The liability part is the killer in the insurance premium which is mandatory and does not depend on the value of the car.

Not to nit pick but this is an exception. Never found any car mechanic that would charge only $15 for anything. Heck even a basic car wash is $30-$40 in my neck of the woods. My experience with replacing mirrors is more inline with Returning_Indian's estimate of $300-$400.

Replacing power side mirrors is a DIY job and does not require a mechanic. I could not do it since I did not have the tools but shared a YT video with a handyman that charges $25 per hour and he finished it in 40 minutes. I had him complete another task in the 20 minutes left.

[SAPPORO]

Another tax terrorism. Just purchased a glucometer. It also faces 18% tax. India is diabetes capital of the world and government is making money off of this misery. Diabetes medication also attracts taxation. So sicker the people, richer the government. Bigger their houses and palaces. This is just plain absurd.

Fretting over taxes is useless. India is a poor country and majority of population is poor. Poor people don't get diabetes, it is a lifestyle disease.

Also, I beleive even if you make taxes 0, the economics works such that the marginal benefit will not go to the consumer, the stuff will just become more expensive based on the purchasing power of the people. So the manufacturer will just up the cost and then instead of blasting the govt we will blast capitalism.

Imagine the amount of cars on the roads like Bangalore, everyone has their own car, it occupies so much space on the road and it is least efficient means of transport. Now imagine govt makes taxes 0 on cars, what happens. People will buy up cars like vegetable and then there will be no space to park them or drive them. So be happy that the taxes are high so only upper middle class people like on this forum can afford the cars

Singapore follows this metho/d, there is a 10 year COE(certificate of entitlement) which costs about 80k USD and a BMW costs about 200k USD. So most people use the public transport.

Diabetes is a poor person's disease at least in the US as they mostly consume fast food since that's what they can afford. I guess it's the same in India- just replace McDonald's burger with the Udupi restaurant dosa/Idli!
GST / Sales taxes are regressive taxation since everyone pays it and for the lower middle class/ poor is a higher share of their income.

[desi4ever]

Reading through all of the recent India experiences by different forum members, SAPPRO is on the negative side with relatives giving a not-so-good treatment , while OS2 is getting a kick out of saving 50 grand and not having to worry about loading the dishwasher, while wd40 having a clear plan laid out on how to lead a perfect and a practical middle class lifestyle with big bucks invested and growing! Anyways my experience is a mixed bag. I visit a few relatives who are/were close to me. Some of the snobbish ones I avoid and they have realized by now and fine with it I guess. The ones that are close , no expectations about lunch/dinner . Mostly cofee/tea some light snacks that's it. My brothers house where I stay - they have a cook that prepares dinner . He is a north Indian , but my sister in law has trained him in traditional south Indian food! So he know how to make akki rotti, tovve ( not sure how to translate this ), avial , etc My SIL barely cooks . She just manages the maids and cook and makes some coffee/tea for guests. She knows what to order where from Swiggy /Zomato and I just eat whatever they order. Regarding 12K steps SAPPRO was complaining, I didnt have that problem, there is a nearby park where I have to make like 30 rounds to cover a mile is sufficient and going nearby to eat things like masala puri ( Bangalore chat invention ) and climbing up/down the temple stairs, averaged 11K everyday. Regarding food, South Indian is the best. I get the luxury of choosing a "pure veg" restaurant , sugar cane juice, coconut water, jackfruit. Sure like after 3 weeks, you do miss your burrito bowls or some of the classical food items Desi Americans enjoy. I dont utter a word about my US lifestyle or events happening in the US, because people there educated from WhatsApp university have ample thoughts and opinions about traffic here, gun violence, Trump's new rules to deport every freaking desi born or yet to be born in the US! Yes, Traffic in BLR sucks . My brother or cab drives me around, I dont get too worked up.

[r2somewhere]

Another tax terrorism. Just purchased a glucometer. It also faces 18% tax. India is diabetes capital of the world and government is making money off of this misery. Diabetes medication also attracts taxation. So sicker the people, richer the government. Bigger their houses and palaces. This is just plain absurd.

Fretting over taxes is useless. India is a poor country and majority of population is poor. Poor people don't get diabetes, it is a lifestyle disease.

Diabetes is caused by simple carbs - the cheapest form of nutrition. In general, its a poor person's disease. Indians are exceptional because even the rich ones refuse to eat protein and healthy fats.

[old-spice2]

Reading through all of the recent India experiences by different forum members, SAPPRO is on the negative side with relatives giving a not-so-good treatment , while OS2 is getting a kick out of saving 50 grand and not having to worry about loading the dishwasher,

Completed one week without loading dishwasher. There is none in my house - a maid was hired and she comes twice a day to do the work. The load is not much for two of us. She also helps in doing prep work for cooking like cutting veggies, make ball out of atta. DW is happy as bulk of boring work is now taken care of. I asked if she wants a cook but turned down as she needs to do some work to remain busy.

Now since my bending work is over, need to hunt for a good gym for stretches and weights. Will do it after the wedding in Feb middle. Over all life is good and need to buy a car. Thinking of Wagon-R automatic for regular city driving as DW cannot drive big SUVs. She uses it to visit her mother and friends. No plan for highway driving as of now. At this age not sure I can take long road trips anymore. Back starts hurting.

But many of my friends are asking this - in June 1994 while LII, I bought Maruti-800 in Delhi for 2L. Then after living in US for 30+ years just upgrading to Wagon-R for 8L. Sirf 6L rupee ke liye America kyon gaya?

Next major project is to sell the current villa. Have reached out to few agents and let us see how much time it takes. Cannot move to an apartment till it is sold as buyers keep coming without any appointment. Just want to get it off my back and use that money to buy something modern/shiny new property like Antilia.

[desi4ever]

Now since my bending work is over, need to hunt for a good gym for stretches and weights. Will do it after the wedding in Feb middle.

I dont get your logic. If you keep bending and exercising your back at home, no need to go gym and bend your back there. Simple yogasanas will keep your back flexible and healthy.

[Returning_Indian]

Another tax terrorism. Just purchased a glucometer. It also faces 18% tax. India is diabetes capital of the world and government is making money off of this misery. Diabetes medication also attracts taxation. So sicker the people, richer the government. Bigger their houses and palaces. This is just plain absurd.

Fretting over taxes is useless. India is a poor country and majority of population is poor. Poor people don't get diabetes, it is a lifestyle disease.

Diabetes is caused by simple carbs - the cheapest form of nutrition. In general, its a poor person's disease. Indians are exceptional because even the rich ones refuse to eat protein and healthy fats.

I understand it's a common theme across social media but there are studies to show that high carb meals do not lead to insulin resistance (precursor to diabetes) anymore than low carb meals, in weight stable patients. I would not focus on protein so much that it can start harming kidneys. Well balanced meals and moderate amount of workout is the way to keep living healthy life and rest is all genetics.

[Returning_Indian]

Now since my bending work is over, need to hunt for a good gym for stretches and weights. Will do it after the wedding in Feb middle. Over all life is good and need to buy a car. Thinking of Wagon-R automatic for regular city driving as DW cannot drive big SUVs. She uses it to visit her mother and friends. No plan for highway driving as of now. At this age not sure I can take long road trips anymore. Back starts hurting.

But many of my friends are asking this - in June 1994 while LII, I bought Maruti-800 in Delhi for 2L. Then after living in US for 30+ years just upgrading to Wagon-R for 8L. Sirf 6L rupee ke liye America kyon gaya?

Small cars in US are not same as small cars in India. Indian cars have very less leg space. Any driving over 45mins will start hurting the knees. When driving sedan, SUVs in front will not provide you good visibility of the road. In any case I never understood the popularity of wagon R. It's such odd looking car with small tyres. I always feel it's going to topple any minute. Plus pick up of maruti is just not good enough. There are other better cars to look for than wagon R.

[JINSAKAI]

Now since my bending work is over, need to hunt for a good gym for stretches and weights. Will do it after the wedding in Feb middle. Over all life is good and need to buy a car. Thinking of Wagon-R automatic for regular city driving as DW cannot drive big SUVs. She uses it to visit her mother and friends. No plan for highway driving as of now. At this age not sure I can take long road trips anymore. Back starts hurting.

But many of my friends are asking this - in June 1994 while LII, I bought Maruti-800 in Delhi for 2L. Then after living in US for 30+ years just upgrading to Wagon-R for 8L. Sirf 6L rupee ke liye America kyon gaya?

Small cars in US are not same as small cars in India. Indian cars have very less leg space. Any driving over 45mins will start hurting the knees. When driving sedan, SUVs in front will not provide you good visibility of the road. In any case I never understood the popularity of wagon R. It's such odd looking car with small tyres. I always feel it's going to topple any minute. Plus pick up of maruti is just not good enough. There are other better cars to look for than wagon R.

I would go with more safer car like Tata Nexon with better safety features. I’d owned VW Vento back in India just for the safety features and helped us in the accident ( when another SUV slammed us from behind on a highway). My brother upgraded to Tata Nexon ( which costed him around 12 Lacs). Below are cars with better safety ratings

https://www.forbesindia.com/amp/article ... ia/90293/1

[old-spice2]

Small cars in US are not same as small cars in India. Indian cars have very less leg space. Any driving over 45mins will start hurting the knees. When driving sedan, SUVs in front will not provide you good visibility of the road. In any case I never understood the popularity of wagon R. It's such odd looking car with small tyres. I always feel it's going to topple any minute. Plus pick up of maruti is just not good enough. There are other better cars to look for than wagon R.

This is just for local driving to get subzi, drink filter coffee/chai. No plan to go out on highway. Bangalore roads are narrow and parking slots are tight compared to NCR. Plus average speed does not go beyond 10-15kmph for most part of the day. I know it is not a safe car, none of the Marutis are. It will be used more like a Honda Activa scooter.

We cannot use sedan anymore - it hurts the knees while getting in/out. SUV type vehicle has easier ingress/egress. I plan to get something like Creta/Brezza later on. Then I realize after retirement with no commute do we need two cars?