The difference between people who have too many possessions and people who are working hard to achieve a good life is tremendous. While in India, I visited one of my dad’s old school friend’s house for dinner. I’m just going to cut right to the chase- the hospitality and pure love that we were given in that household was extraordinary. The minute I met both of his children, one boy and one girl, I automatically knew that they were the most friendly people I had ever met. I automatically realized how fake people could be, simply because of the genuinely caring nature of these people.

And they made food! Oh my God, they made food. They made so much food. My dad and I were the only two people sitting at the dining table while they sat around and talked to us. It was slightly unusual, as I’m used to the hosts sitting around and eating with us, but I knew why they were doing it; they wanted to make sure that we were fully fed and comfortable. Although it was definitely a strange experience, the love that I felt because of this made me eat everything to the point where I felt like I was going to explode.

I don’t know if this is a part of their culture to be, well, the nicest people I have ever met, but it makes me want to be so much more like them. There is no other way to put them but as happy people who work hard in life, no matter how many material possessions they gain out of it. It’s inspiring, really.

The #1 difference that I saw between these people and people who have everything they need right at their fingertips is how they will treat you as their best friend, disregarding whether they really know you or not. The conversations we had for the couple of hours we spent at their house made me feel welcome. Both the children, one my age and the other in college, sat there and talked to us the entire time. Meanwhile, if this was the same situation in the US, they would (maybe) greet you and walk away. Don’t get me wrong, I love and appreciate everyone in my life, and I, personally, wouldn’t want any changes to the way we spend time together, but it’s interesting to see the differences in culture. I think what I’m trying to say is that no matter the means of expression, love is love wherever you go and there’s nothing more to it.