Outsourced – country differences between India and United States
2018123003 Kim NamJin
Various cultural differences are revealed in the movie Outsourced.
First of all, the main character got embarrassed when he finds a taxi to go from the airport to Garapuri.
Unlike the United States, Indian taxi drivers are so active in soliciting that they even fought each other.
And there is also a three-wheeled taxi, not a regular car, so the main character unintentionally rided it.
Afterwards, the main character got out of the taxi and take the train. In India, it was taken for granted to
the extent that other people help out with the dangerous act of chasing and jumping on the departing
train. When I got on the train, there were not enough seats, but a boy saw my luggage and gave up my
seat to the main character. The main character sat down thankfully, but suddenly the boy did something
unimaginable in America. As if it was natural, he was sitting on the main character's thighs. I think the
two cultures are different due to the difference in perception of physical contact with strangers.
After getting off the train, a local employee drove a car to pick up the main character, and although the
main character wanted to enjoy a comfortable rest alone at the hotel, the local staff strongly
recommended him to stay in a guest house. On the way, he also experienced outrageous sights that
could only be seen in India, where cows are sacred. The cows were standing in the middle of the road
and the road was blocked as cars were waiting. He also witnessed urination on the street, which shows
a lack of public hygiene or civic awareness.
Afterwards, the main character arrived at the guest house and was served with a light refreshment, but
the main character was embarrassed when the guest house owner asked and advised on sensitive
personal matters such as marriage as if he were a family member of her. In addition, the conversation
reveals the culture of India, where marriage is fast enough to have grandchildren at main character’s
age. And when the main character inadvertently used his left hand for eating refreshments, other people
express their displeasure. This scene showes the Indian culture which considers it unclean to use left
hand to eat, and to hold food with the hand you already put in your mouth.
Entering the room and unpacking, the main character was offended by a strange painting hanging on
it, which was a painting of Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction. In this scene, we could get a glimpse
of the Hindu culture deeply rooted in every aspect of Indian life.
Afterwards, the main character went out on the street and met a boy who was persistently begging for
1 rupee. When the main character gave some money, the boy hugged and pickpocketed him. It showed
the poor security and lack of morality of Indians at that time.
Arrived at the building where he was working, the main character realizes that although both India and
the United States use English as a main language, there is a difference between the two countries. The
linguistic differences were expressed such as different pronunciations or referring to the same object
with different words.
After that, the main character gradually adapted to the local life. Meanwhile, on the Day of Holi, an
Indian festival, the main character, wearing a white shirt, went to work without knowing anything. The
main character, who was hit with powder of all colors, was confused at first, but quickly adapted and
enjoyed the festival with other Indians.
As the main character talks with the staff, Indian family values were also revealed. As he learned the
Indian culture where parents and children live together in the same house and cherish family, the main
character reflected on American culture.
The main character fell in love with an employee, and the main character was shocked to learn that the
employee already had a marriage partner within the family since childhood. It was unimaginable in
America. In addition, the reality of gender discrimination was expressed as women could not go to
college and the jobs they could have were limited.