IST–Indian Standard Time (the ABCD Life)

Three Saturdays ago my dance group participated in ‘Festival of India’ hosted by miindia.com. We were scheduled to dance at 3:30 PM and we assumed we’d be dancing at around 3:45 or 4 because Indians usually run late. We performed at 6:00 PM.

There are so many jokes like, “oh, if an Indian is hosting a party at 6, that means leave at 7,” or anything along those lines. All jokes aside, it’s not a good habit.

This has even been dubbed with the name “IST” or Indian Standard Time, only to be reinforced too many people in the world. It’s like a spell that everyone falls under.

I don’t know whether it’s the fact that Indian clothing must be accessorized with many pieces of jewelry or that a last chai is needed for my mom before exiting the house. It could be because saris are impossible to tie, or because my dad keeps forgetting his glasses. Sometimes my hair hasn’t dried from my shower. It might be because traffic in India is horrendous and that causes everyone to be late so that creeps to us Indians here.

Aren’t those just excuses? In situations where you need to be on time (i.e. tests or performances) it’s not a help at all. Life ends up rushed and scatter-brained, and all because of IST.

Maybe it’s time we had life planned out a bit so we avoid being late. Instead of having a program start at 4 and have an undecided ending, give each event 10 minutes max of time. Instead of getting ready at 6:30 for a 7 o’clock party, get ready at 6 and have some free time.

But if we’re still late with free time, there’s no escaping IST.