Wherever Indians are present there is a constant stream of talk but sometimes they are people of few - or rather no words. I have noticed that they conduct many simple transactions in complete silence with no awkwardness on either side.
Going into Delhi from the airport, we passed a toll booth. My driver wound down the window, gave a coin to the man in the booth, was given a ticket in return and drove off, all without a word exchanged.
Now, to my British ears and manners, this appears cold as best and rude at worst. But, on reflection, it is simply an economy of words, nothing more. Here's why: the driver knew the price of the toll, the attendant knew that, as a taxi driver, he knew the price, the driver knew he would get a a ticket and the ticket guy knew he was expecting one. So why go to the trouble of saying, 'Ten rupees, please', to be responded to with an unnecessary , 'There you go', 'Thank you, safe journey'? In Britain such a transaction without this exchange is considered awkward and rude. In India it is not.
I tested it out myself. At the Red Fort ticket office in Delhi I raised one finger to indicate one ticket, while simultaneously pushing across the correct amount of money. The ticket officer tore off one ticket and I left, having said nothing and elated at such brazen rudeness from us both. No-one noticed or cared.
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