When I meet people professionally (whether on the phone or in person) it is easier for me. I know more or less what they want and I can usually figure out how to deliver the goods. Whatever, I try and smile (that makes a difference on the phone too) and relax and things usually go well from there. THese are people who come to me because they have heard of me professionally and expect that I can help them. I generally can cope fine unless I am tired, and then I just let the answering machine cope.
BUT my problems start (sometimes, not every time) when they want something from Mrs. Khan.... Last Eid a totally unknown woman ripped me up because I wasn't dressed suitably according to her, and I found it hard to continue to smile. The desi women who meet me for the first time have usually "heard" from others about me (yes we are a really gossipy community) and I see so well when they greet me for the first time what they have already decided. My husband's and my own non-desi friends are much more open and less likely to pre-judge.
But still, I try to smile and relax, there's every chance I'll make a new friend!
Muzna mayree jaan,
Ye bhee koyee Question huya???!!
Will pretend it is Eid and like a good MusliMAH phulan shall perform the "aa galay lag jaa" ritual asap, or fall flat in SajDAH!! as the angels smile upon me!
LARdkee "someone"??!! OH!!! Shall be back!!
On a serious note, try to gauge the personality of the person and come across whichever way would make "them" comfortable but at the same time staying within my own norms and NO "galay.." biz!! Laugh!
[This message has been edited by PhulanWakilan (edited April 29, 1999).]
so the trend to smile at people is out? hehehe
I will try frowning next time I see an unknown desi person.
Holy crap this thread is old! before my time
If its someone i met from gupshup i try to carry on from where we last left off on gs (i.e. how frank we are on GS) and pretend we've met each other before. The only one thing i hate about meeting guppies is that you cant be mad at someone or keep hating them for whatever differences youve had online before meeting up. Which is kinda nice in a way but still. :p
As for everyone else i try to, at the risk of making a fool out of myself, make the person comfortable around me and drop any formalities asap. If its a desi person then one way ive noticed to drop formalities is avoid talking in english asap. And hope the other person speaks urdu. :p
this is and oooooooooooooooooooooooooooold thread
i usually smile 
then..either they run away..or smile bak :pif they smile bak..then i start a convo…