Battle of the sexes

Not so much a battle as an understood divide between the sexes. The segregation of the sexes is quite tangible in India. On one occasion a group of us girls were standing in the outdoor patio area of the home just chatting amongst ourselves. I observed a group of men standing out in the dark of the courtyard but didn't think much more of it. I was a little taken aback however when someone came in from the house and told us ladies that we should move inside as the men would want to start drinking in the area where we were standing and were too shy to come in whilst we were standing there!!

I have really appreciated the communal feeling that exists amongst the women but it is strange to experience the difference in expectations. Having to sneak drinks behind closed doors because 'women don't drink' was not something I was terribly comfortable with! Men on the other hand are given free reign to do what they please and the sight of men gathering in groups around a table stacked with empty whisky bottles was not an uncommon sight. The Punjabis in particular have quite a reputation for drinking to the extent that a particular song's lyrics went something like- 'This is Punjab. Have a drink. This is Punjab....' You get the drift....