Shannon - Mumbai

We've been in Mumbai for a couple days now and I have been introduced to so many different cultures and traditions that I am not even sure where to begin. As far as the culture shock goes I have to say that Simmons has almost over prepared us in a way. Yes all five of my senses have been overwhelmed and jet-lag has taken its toll mentally and physically. Yet after all of the pre-departure readings, movies, books and reflections I'm not as surprised by my reactions to the cultural differences as I thought I should be. I have been so well informed I think it's safe to say I learned as much about Indian culture if not more than what I know about my own.
For example the second day we were here we visited a theme park with water attractions. Knowing that the theme park and other swimming opurtunities would be available to us on this trip I still did not pack my suit. Before hand I knew enough about the culture to understand that any of the bathing suits I owned would not be socially acceptable to wear in public especially at this family oriented park. In order to prevent giving the assumption that I am not a modest person I only want to explain that the swim suit I own is nothing extravagant or outlandish. My suit is typical of the uniforms you would find at my high school swim meets: plain, black and one piece of material. When we entered the water aspect of the theme park I was not surprised by the fact that women and girls were running around covered in soaking wet outfits consisting of pants a long-sleeve shirt and even the occaisional head scarf. Nor was I surprised by the fact that they sold these "costumes" to women who did not have the appropriate attire. I was however surprised by what the men were swimming in. The men at this park. regardless of age were literally running around half naked. To spare the details lets just say that the suit I chose to leave at home had more materal than what most of the men were wearing.
Not to say that the choice to wear these "costumes" were not made by the women wearing them. Personally I found it hard to beleive that out of all of the women in this park not one of them wore anything even revelaing their shoulders. Especially when it was socially acceptable for the men to be so exposed. I can not personally reflect any more on this topic because I was just merely a spectator with no personal connection to the situation. But if I got the chance to ask some of the women young and old with out offending them I would be curious to know how they would dress if they were to visit a water park in the United States. If they would feel odd if they choose to wear their bathing "costumes". Or if they did decide to wear something slightly more revealing if it was because they felt pressured by all of the attention they probably would get otherwise.