[coldphoenix]

Unfortunately what you say is quite true. (Am from India myself). The educated lot who have seen more of the world are not so bad. But yea, your point is valid esp among the very orthodox.

[Mamzelle]

These Brahmins (although they don't like the word…they want to tell me all about the sub-castes and regional sub-sub-castes) quite rationally do not want to give up the perquisites of pseudo-royalty. I guess if I had been born a princess I wouldn't want to give up the tiara. But they also won't serve anyone a cup of coffee or even pass the salt. And I'm not impressed with what passes for Hindu "charity"--no one poor ever gets help. But the temple Brahmins do get to collect sacrifices. Like many things, the more you know, the less you like.

Most of the Indians you and I know are high-caste who have cast off the trappings of privilege to live a Western life. But there remain a few who never assimilate, who really despise the "foreign" untouchable while bitterly envying the white skin of many Americans. Yeah, there's a racism to the caste system which can really surprise!!