Atithi, Tum Kab Jaoge? Types Of Guests Indian Families Entertain

How many of you like guests at home? In a country that follows the policy of Atithi Devo Bhava, how many people sigh "Atithi, tum kab jaoge"? Many, from what I've heard and observed around me. In fact, no human can behave in the same way for days. Then what should we do? Shut our doors as soon as we spot a guest coming. Or run out of the house? Naah too rebellious. Can we churn some humour out of it? Well, yes.

While, it's fun having guests over sometimes, other times, it feels like a clock ticking over our heads to remind us, "Behave properly!" However, both cases show there is a type of guest we like and a type that we don't. So, what are those types? 

Types of guests in India 

The one who has a degree in sanskaar 

A guest arrives at your home. You come out of your room and sit near them. The guest looks at you and says, “Beta you greet everyone who comes to your home.” All that you can think of at that time is “I didn’t invite you. And you didn’t greet me despite being uninvited.”  But then, your parents glare at you as if not greeting was not cleaning the garbage. Did you smell the rebellion hidden here?

The one with unsolicited marriage advice 

Many guests come home to teach us where our “home” is. They keep telling us the importance of marriage, that we are ready to get married and they have prospects suitable for us. But wait, didn’t their marriage advice find us a home? Or are they sitting on the streets with a plate full of a variety of snacks? 

The one who always brings gifts 

This type of guest is warmly welcome. As hosts, we run to and fro to arrange something fancy for guests to eat. So, it is only logical to expect at least a chocolate from them. Even the “devo” provides fortune in return for all the worship. Oh, wait...did they bring a gift or a bait? Because sorry we are not fish in a pond but women in fonde. 

The one who…you know

As women, we very well know the intentions with which a guest arrives at home frequently. They talk to our breasts, find reasons to hug us and yet expect us to host and greet them. Atithi might be equal to God. But some of their mentality and actions don’t even match with Lucifer. For these guests, shutting the door is the real sanskar. 

The one who takes Atithi Devo Bhava too seriously 

There is a type of quest who actually thinks they are God. They expect us to serve them, look after their comfort and make sure nothing is missing. What does the guest do in return? Stay for days and leave with “Khush Raho”. Really? If we start living happily, they won’t be the God. Rather we will be the God with the power to prioritise ourselves. Sorry, but worshipping ungrateful guests is not on our priority list. 

The one puffed with hypocrisy 

I once had a guest at home during my teenage years and I'd just learned how to make tea. So, when the guest requested me to make one, I obliged. His response? “Beti, acha chai nahi banati hai.” Why did the guest comment on my tea when he never made it? Similarly, many guests come home to teach us moral values which they never followed. Giving advice on a happy marriage just after shaming his wife in front of everyone. Teaching how to serve with spoons when they never held one. 

So, dear hypocritic guest, “I Don't Wake Up Every Single Day To Impress Judgemental Hypocrites Like You. You Know What "Life" Is? Go Get One. You Need It,” Pinterest; Emma +Josh

Well, this is all I have till now. I am sure you must have come across many other types of guests. But the point is hosting and hospitality has a limit and so does the unsolicited behaviour and advice of guests. So next time when you come across these guests, let them speak as much as they want. Then react by saying, “Did you watch the film “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge”?”

Views expressed are the author's own.