Yes Garu!

In India, the term "Garu" is a term of respect.  If I understood correctly it would be our equivalent to "sir" or "ma'am".  Brother and Sister informed us that you would use it for anyone who was older than you, using it for both males and females.  In fact, Sister informed me that before they accept a child into their CRF home, the children must agree to call Brother "Big Daddy Garu".  In their language of course. 

So why the language lesson?  Because Brother and Sister spent almost the entire time they were here trying to get me to call Hubby "Garu."  I don't think they were doing it because they thought I was disrespectful of Hubby, but just because in their culture, respect is shown differently.  Sister always made sure and served Hubby if we were eating here at the house first.  She always made his chai, twice a day.  While I consider myself to be respectful of my husband, more often than not he serves me my dinner before himself while I'm cutting up #4's food.  Just a difference in cultures.

But this whole process of trying to get me to call Hubby Garu was funny.  They insisted that another sister we all know here in the States calls her husband Garu several times a day.  And she even bows when she says it.  Please understand, I know this sister.  If she is calling her husband Garu, she does it dripping with sarcasm!  She is also very respectful of her husband by American standards, but there is no way she calls him Garu seriously. 

So by about Saturday I started calling Hubby Garu just to get a laugh out of everyone.  And we all laughed every time I said it.  To Brother and Sister's credit, whenever I would say it one of them would remind Hubby to say "Thank you Sister!" to show that he returned the respect to me. 

Was I glad for this glimpse into India culture?  Sure!  Do I feel better prepared should I ever go to India for what they would expect of my treatment of my husband?  Absolutely!  Will you catch me calling Hubby Garu in anything other than a joking manner?  Not going to happen!