Did you feel a little uncomfortable reading the title of this post? Read on, please.
I recently had a very interesting e-conversation with one of my dearest e-friends about conception, contraception and related matters.
I recently had a very interesting e-conversation with one of my dearest e-friends about conception, contraception and related matters.
We both commented on how these topics are simply not discussed among those of the Asian subcontinent in general, and Sikhs, in particular. (I must weave in here seamlessly one of my favourite lines on this topic:
The ignorance on this very vital subject is absolutely incredible to me. No wonder there are problem pregnancies and the crazy-wild spread of HIV-AIDS throughout India.
But that's not really what I want to write about.
This is a subject that most people - not just Sikhs - discuss either with snickers (not the candy bar) or with embarrassment. I wonder why this is.
And not just matters sexual. Discussion of almost any of our bodily functions is considered in bad taste, if not vulgar and vaguely obscene. Even my doctor was once grossed out by my graphic description of my diarrhea, one I certainly won't subject you to - all about the undigested peas and corn kernels, all that sort of stuff - but one I would expect a medical doctor to take in stride. I feel a little uneasy writing this myself. Why? What is so disgusting to us about the way our bodies function? Does this picture make you uncomfortable or disgusted? Does it make you wonder why I've lost any good taste I might have once possessed?
I remember one conversation I had once withe The Church Ladies. They were waxing enthusiastic about all the beauties and glories of God's creation when I added my little bit about how wonderfully our bodies and those of the animals function. "Isn't it wonderful the way that God has arranged for us to feed our babies from our own bodies? And how about the way cats give themselves baths even though they absolutely hate water." The response to those innocent questions? (They really were innocent. I have been known to bait The Church Ladies from time to time, but this time I was serious.) Red faces, eyes downcast all the way around and one brave Lady managing to squeak out, "Please, Mai, you're making us sick."
If a stomach rumbles or someone farts, excuse me, passes gas, again the snickers and embarrassment. Why do we real vaguely ill and disgusted at seeing a cat throw up hairballs, when said kitty ate grass just for that purpose? Why is it that "Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow"? Going even further, why do, even now, my unshaved Sikh legs and underarms, when seen,(which is rare these days, after all, I'm in my mid fifties) bring such social disapproval?
In short, why do we feel shame instead of pride in this wondrous machine - our body - which we inhabit? Lots of questions. No answers from me, I'm afraid.
I come from a community where sex simply doesn't exist; baby Sikhlings simply appear from nowhere, much to the astonishment of their amazed parents.
The ignorance on this very vital subject is absolutely incredible to me. No wonder there are problem pregnancies and the crazy-wild spread of HIV-AIDS throughout India.
But that's not really what I want to write about.
This is a subject that most people - not just Sikhs - discuss either with snickers (not the candy bar) or with embarrassment. I wonder why this is.
And not just matters sexual. Discussion of almost any of our bodily functions is considered in bad taste, if not vulgar and vaguely obscene. Even my doctor was once grossed out by my graphic description of my diarrhea, one I certainly won't subject you to - all about the undigested peas and corn kernels, all that sort of stuff - but one I would expect a medical doctor to take in stride. I feel a little uneasy writing this myself. Why? What is so disgusting to us about the way our bodies function? Does this picture make you uncomfortable or disgusted? Does it make you wonder why I've lost any good taste I might have once possessed?
I remember one conversation I had once withe The Church Ladies. They were waxing enthusiastic about all the beauties and glories of God's creation when I added my little bit about how wonderfully our bodies and those of the animals function. "Isn't it wonderful the way that God has arranged for us to feed our babies from our own bodies? And how about the way cats give themselves baths even though they absolutely hate water." The response to those innocent questions? (They really were innocent. I have been known to bait The Church Ladies from time to time, but this time I was serious.) Red faces, eyes downcast all the way around and one brave Lady managing to squeak out, "Please, Mai, you're making us sick."
If a stomach rumbles or someone farts, excuse me, passes gas, again the snickers and embarrassment. Why do we real vaguely ill and disgusted at seeing a cat throw up hairballs, when said kitty ate grass just for that purpose? Why is it that "Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow"? Going even further, why do, even now, my unshaved Sikh legs and underarms, when seen,(which is rare these days, after all, I'm in my mid fifties) bring such social disapproval?
In short, why do we feel shame instead of pride in this wondrous machine - our body - which we inhabit? Lots of questions. No answers from me, I'm afraid.
Along these same lines, you might enjoy my post about conception, The Winner.
Pampers? Read the comments. And, yes, I notice that all these women and babies are not only Caucasian but "White". Hey, I didn't design the packaging.
Mai ji, Great post and great pictures! Well done! Keep it up ji!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous ji,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words. Yes, the pictures...I think the diarrhea one is especially nice, don't you?
Sleep well ji.
on this post Mai, am absolutely with u. I have also always wondered why farting, sneezing and other normal, natural things are things tobe embarassed about!
ReplyDeleteDear How ji (we know each other well enough to be on first-name terms, I think) - I'm glad someone is with me on this one. I happen to believe my body is perfectly designed and all these things it does are not only good, but, each in its own way, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI would expect these Church Ladies, who are always praising God, to understand this, but they're the very worst about it.
And I'm no nearer to finding out why than when I first asked!
Yes Mai, wonderful post! from the pictures, the point of view, humor, it's all there babe. Be careful though, you might just get famous.
ReplyDeletepp
Yah, this is an interesting subject here. Poo is kind of gross to me but it's a fact of life ya know!
ReplyDeleteDear Kiddo ji - Fame! Spare me! A fate worse than death. I'm not too worried though. Four followers and few readers and no awards - or even nominations do not fame predict.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading. This blog is written for a very small, elite group: myself and two other people.
Dear S. S. ji - Did you happen to catch Saturday Night Live last night. They had a wonderfully gross mockmercial for "Edible Pampers." I LMSAO. And thought of this post.
I find "poo" (and "Pooh") gross, too, but have you ever noticed how little kids are fascinated by it? This is evidentally a learned, and deeply implanterd, preferance.
But there must we envy the dog, who cares not who watches what but still is neat and sticks to one place away from his regular roming place in the yard. He is not shy, nor make a deal of what the functions are.
ReplyDeleteEcho ji - And on top of that, they have no colour, class, religious prejudices.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about cats? They are even neater than dogs, burying theirs!
No, I didn't catch that Mai. Ewwww.
ReplyDeleteDear S. S., ji - catch it in repeats, it's awfully funny and gross. An old routine just jumped into my mind: "Dead cat soap, ahole dead cat in every bar." I'll have to google on it.
ReplyDeleteNo one seems to notice that I skipped menstruation, probably the most taboo bodily functions to talk about. I have a lot of thoughts on that, probably better left unsaid.
My favourite menstruation quote: "I don't trust anything that bleeds for a week and doesn't die." Mr. Garrison