What will I be when I grow up?
I was 17 when the all-important decision of where I would go to college was being made. In my case the final verdict would be driven primarily by which college would accept me in to an academic program and in to the on-campus housing. On-campus housing was critical because my parents did not believe I was sensible enough to live on my own in the big, bad city without killing myself. It finally came down to Sophia College, an all-women’s college in Bombay that was run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Yep – I would spend three long years under the watchful eye of catholic nuns.
I didn’t care – I was excited to be moving from Bangalore to Bombay and it was while on holiday in Bombay with my dad’s family that we gratefully received the good news of my acceptance in to Sophia’s. Unlike most extended families ours usually tended to keep their opinions to themselves, but on the issue of my higher education they were surprisingly vocal.
Cousin X (referred to as such because I don’t want any trouble) was beside himself with worry. As far as he was concerned we were just small town folk who knew nothing about Bombay.
Aunty Surya let me just tell you one thing. Just one thing – Sophia College chicks have the worst reputation! They are all fast chicks and let me tell you one other thing – the ones in the hostel are even faster! And if she goes there she will become one as well.
‘Fast chicks’ were basically slutty girls who were willing to put out for anyone and everyone and who required very little (if any) encouragement to do so. At 21 he knew everything, especially about women and it was his duty as my older cousin to warn my mother.
His view point did not surprise anyone – certain women’s colleges in India enjoy a less than saintly reputation amongst the male populous. And while it is entirely possible that the behavior of some students may have compromised the standing of these venerable institutions I was pretty damn sure that more men had been turned down than turned on by these very girls. Yet my cousin was afraid that mere contact with these women would immediately turn me in to a slut. How? Was sluttery contagious? And were all the sluts being quarantined in Women’s only colleges? Are you telling me there were absolutely no sluts trolling the co-ed college class-rooms? What a stupid, old-fashioned idea.
As I rolled my eyes I caught my uncles. My Uncle Z (once again because I don’t want any trouble) sat there with a look on his face that said he too thought my cousin was talking out of his rear-end. It turned out that while he was far less concerned about the college turning me in to a slut he suspected something far more diabolical that that.
You know Surya if you send her to that place they’ll turn her in to a nun. That is exactly what they do.
Even at 17 I knew I was related to a collection of crazies. As far as they were concerned my options were limited. Slut or nun – I had no hope of becoming an economist or a psychologist or a statistician or anything like that. Nope – my only options were to become a woman of loose morals or a woman trying to enforce stricter ones. I went to college wondering which group of women would win the war over my mind (and body).
It is a matter of fact that I did not become a nun. All else is a matter of opinion.
I am 45 now, and still trying to figure out what I ‘want’ to be… Finally making a living singing.. but people have these ridiculous expectations of you, even heading toward 50.
I did the Corp. Finance, it was BORING.
The issue is not $, but what are you the best at doing?
I was fabulous in the Restaurant industry, and when I get away from it, I was miserable, so, now I sing in lounges and restaurants
don’t try and make yourself sound more interesting by pretending to be a slut- the hostel failed you miserably on that front-you’re all blog and no bloody action
I agree – as my friend Brock says – I am slut-adjacent. I respect and adore them but when push comes to shove I am a sissy.
“push” and “shove” being the operative words!
haha… that was a funny one. I needed that laugh after the day I’ve had.
hey vazi… think yu’d look good in a nun’s outfit… but in leather maybe!! hehe!! skirt cut high n neck cut low….. saw 2 girls walkin in Soho a long while ago
enjoyed that blog a log!
Now I can totally see why you are who you are
!
it explains all….well almost