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Sign language


To an Indian ia lifestyle choice is to broadcast unsolicited advice to others.  No matter what the venue or the occasion the average Indian whether from the north or south will unabashedly dole out his perspective, recommendations and critique regardless of decorum.

What decorum?

This advice takes the form of hilarious to foul language or yelling from roof tops or streets to putting up signs to admonish any random reader of said signs.

One such appears in a local Shiva Vishnu temple of the bay area.  The attendees (aka devotees if you asked them what they would prefer to be called), at said site which is a sprawling campus by the way, tend to park their vehicles and wander in with shoes which are left in myriad locations around the perimeter of the temple. 

Since the Indian tradition advises removal of dirty footwear outside God's home these accouterments get left behind like a trail of bread crumbs from the parking lot all the way to the very threshold of the lord's abode.

The sign to prevent this blasphemy reads " DO NOT LEAVE SHOES ANYWHERE".

It is in double quotes and all CAPS.  Yes.  And while one can see the paradox of the statement the end result is ironic creativity in where the said footwear is found.  Today I spotted a dude retrieve them from a rose bush.  Very clever.  While not apparent to someone watching he quietly retrieved the same after some crowds dispersed without having to walk to the room where there is a shoe stand.

As I was leaving the temple parking a sign told me 'no right turn'.  Also in CAPS.  What did I do?  Guess?
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