The Society Game

 It is better not to play the society game. As an Indian, you are by default not in the upper strata of American society. A lot of people feel bitter when they experience this comparative downgrade. This is particularly true if you have been amongst the privileged in India. But rather than feeling disappointed at how you don't measure up in American society, it is better to reflect on what this feeling really reflects about who you are-- What privileges have you taken for granted in India? What should be the real standard based on which people are treated decently? Is it money? Is it looks? Is it education? Is it success? No, the answer is pretty obvious. Everyone deserves to be treated nicely, everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and if you think otherwise, you deserve what's coming to you. Of course, realizing this doesn't mean you will be treated nicely, people are always clambering up the wrong avenues to feel better about themselves, for a shot at dignity. But you know what the right standard is and at least, on your part, you can proceed to treat people as such. Don't waste your time feeling bad just because people are not in awe of your natural greatness, spend time figuring out who you are and what makes you respect yourself. Appreciate your own luck and appreciate the people who are good and kind, after all they are choosing to be so in a world that repeatedly fails to acknowledge their worth.