Tea with bitter aftertaste
02.07.2010
Some countries have customs that Westerners find abhorrent.
In one occasion, the catechists and the parish centre youth group and I arranged that we would go on a picnic. It was a mixed group of Punjabis and Parkari Kholis.
The place chosen was an artificial barrage built on the banks of the river Indus. It was a popular place for local tourism where, because of the dam, boating was possible. There was also some green areas plus some trees which gave protection from the sun. There was plenty of open space to have the compulsory game of cricket!
The group prepared their own food.
A bus was hired and the day began. After food, cricket and time on the water, the group decided to have a cup of tea in the local hotel before returning home.
We went into the hotel and sat down. Tea was ordered and served. Conversation was animated.
Somewhere along the line, the people in charge of the hotel, who in this case were Sindhi Muslim, realized that this group was different; that they were low caste and untouchable.
The hotel people said they would have to break the cups that the tea was served in and demanded payment for same. This was refused after an encounter that became heated.
We got on the bus and returned home. It was one occasion when the presence of a white face did not have any influence.
The mood on the bus was one of anger and frustration. An enjoyable day had ended with a cup of tea leaving a bitter taste in the mouth.
The anger and frustration was still present when the incident was discussed at the next youth group meeting. Nobody said things would change.
Fr Tomas King is the Co-Ordinator of the Pakistan Mission Unit.
