Things All ABCD Girls Know to Be True | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Things All ABCD Girls Know to Be True

American-Born, Confused Desi and Proud

532
Things All ABCD Girls Know to Be True
colorlines.com

As an American Born Confused Desi, or ABCD for short, you exist at a unique cultural faultline, blending aspects of both Indian and American culture. It can be hard to know exactly where you fit in, but the good news is there's a lot of us.

1. When people ask you where you're from, and you respond with whatever state you grew up in, there's always the follow up, "But like, where are you really from?"


A great way to respond to this is, "where are you really from?" and watch them flounder.

2. You have been called "exotic" by a white boy at least once.


This is sometimes accompanied the always winning: "You're pretty for an Indian girl."

3. Your standards for romance have been set by Bollywood movies.

Try and tell me there's something more romantic than an item song in the desert with 72 costume changes and hundreds of backup dancers. Hm? I'm waiting.

4. You like your food like you like your men: the spicier the better.

Give me biryani over peanut butter and jelly any day.

5. People always assume you're good at math and science, even if that isn't necessarily your forte.

There are Desis talented at art, music, and language. Not all of us are destined to be doctors or engineers, and that's okay!

6. You don't feel Indian enough for your parents and family back home, and not American enough for your friends.


Your parents will tell you that you've become too Americanized but there are still major differences between you and your white peers.

7. You've fought the urge to roll your eyes in yoga class when Becky or Sarah explains what "Om" means.


If you see one more yoga instructor with a misspelled Hindi tattoo, you're going to go all aunty-ji on their ass.

8. You harbor at least one crush on an Indian actor (or actress).

Sorry Deepika, but me and Ranveer will eventually be together. It's only a matter of time.

9. One of your #lifegoals is learning how to drape a saree properly.

So much fabric. So many pleats. So little patience.

10. You probably use your native language to talk about other people in public without them knowing.


One of the greatest gifts of being able to speak another language (or even just understand it) is being able to publicly gossip about strangers.

11. You've got the best of both worlds.

You've combined the best of both cultures into a unique perspective that's all your own. You may be a little Americanized, but proud of your culture all the same.


Being an ABCD gal may come with its struggles, but you wouldn't have it any other way.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

4489
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

450717
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22346
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

45241
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments