A Bong in Korea - An Incomplete Attempt

For the uninitiated, I am about to describe the “bong” persona in the blabber to follow. A Bong happens to be a person of Indian origin but whose mother tongue is a language called Bengali that also happens to be one of the major languages of India. Most of the Bengalis, as they are known, have their roots in the eastern part of India. They also could have roots in “Bangladesh’ a separate country. I might dwell upon the significance later, but for now let it be known that the so-called upper-middle, middle and nouveau(mutually exclusive) Indians have shortened the same to “Bongs”. It would not be an error on my part to confide that a lot of times we do introduce ourselves as a Bong because perhaps the lingo of using the term “Bengali” could be LS. People watching Kandy Floss ( a Indian TV Show) would be familiar with this term but for the others its “Low Society”.

A “Bong” could be attributed with certain stereotypes and though a lot of times it could be true, but sometimes it could be a cultural burden while it could be plain and simple hilarious at other times. One of the major burdens of Bong is that he/she is supposed to be culturally rich. This would mean that all of us have a natural affinity towards the finer arts be it music, art, drama, films, the whole gamut. Additionally we must most probably know how to sing or write. We also should be in love with the great poet named “Tagore” and how could you be a “ Bong” without knowing and loving his work. The Bongs love their fish and why not? They also want their daily dose of rice and if anybody disagrees, you could always apply the “exception” rule. The “Bongs” also have their own funny accent while speaking English like all the other Indians (pardon my comment). So its hilarious when the Bong pronounces the “Violet” as something like “Bhhiolet” but actually I find it funnier when corrected by say a Punjabi(people from Punjab - a northern India Province) who say “Loin” meaning “Lion”. Sorry guys, but I can have other examples too on accents but that’s a different story. I need to now get back to the topic I started off with and my apologies because of this “intended” diversion!!

A Bong in Korea is a good and bad thing to happen. To list down the good points they could go as follows:
Fish is in abundance (You need to know the Korean equivalents)
Rice is not a problem since you would get Basmati at a price, or the Chinese Jasmine Rice would do well.
Bengali music available freely on demand (Internet).
Food is an integral part of a Bengali’s daily life and so is it with Koreans, and if you are experimental (a lot are) then you have a variety out there. Obsession with Food is the phrase I should have used for people who raised their eyebrows.
Bengalis are driven by the “want”, rather than by the “money” backing it up, and therefore there are normally no “exchange conversion” issues at every buying decision “moment of truth”.

There could be more and a reader could enlighten me, but here are the bad ones:

No Durga Puja Festival (Durga is a Hindu Deity worshipped ardently by the Bengalis) since the occasion is not only of worship but also of communion, gaiety and cultural splendour.
No Bengali Associations or any such club where these clannish guys can get together regularly. No Pirated Illegal Bengali Movies Online (Internet).
No Bengali Sweets available (The Bengali has a sweet tooth and the Bong version of milk based sweets/desserts are quite popular in all parts of India).

In local Indian impromptu get-togethers, a bong has a problem with eating just a one course Dal ( Lentil soup with varied density) and rice meal and be verrry satisfied. And if you want to know more about the Bengalis perhaps you would have to wait for another time and occasion. I promise there to dissect the Bong and the Bengali and that should be interesting to do.

I am salivating at the prospect and I just need to remind myself and off we’ll go. Till then, thank you for your attention!! Sphere: Related Content