Why are Indians so frugal??

Question

No offense towards them but I just wonder why are they so frugal...

They will buy the cheapest things in the market.If there is a sale you will see tons of women wearing saris and telling the other one the sale price loudly . You will almost never see them in a nice mall or expensive store.

Their kids wear the cheapest brands from Walmart Target and tattered clothes all the time.

They always drive old vans with a huge load of kids, Old Hondas corollas and camry's seem to be the favourite.

They send too much money back home while they continue to count thei r pennies all the time.

Answer 1

*One U.S. Dollar is equivalent of nearly 46 Indian Rupees at present. Obviously, our savings from years of working in India will only end up as a few thousand dollars when converted. We also spend loads of money on air tickets for the whole family and for other purchases which are very necessary when you are travelling abroad.

*You might be aware of the existing job market in North America. Immigrants may not have a job when they arrive. Most times, our degrees and diplomas are not considered and employers ask American experience. This results in engineers and doctors ending up in nine-ten dollar jobs or as taxi drivers... Well educated people who have several years of experience in India will have to do labour extensive jobs...

*Most people come to the West for better education of ther children. Indian students are also intelligent and capable to get into Universities. You might be aware that yearly University fees is very expensive. If they have grown up children, they will have only limited time to raise money to support their education.

*People most times have a family back home to support... old parents, large family with sisters and children and so on. So, with the money we get from our jobs, we should support our own living as well as send money home.

*We are sometimes obliged to have relatives: like parents, in-laws, sisters, brothers or friends to visit us. Parents, mostly. For their up and down trip, we have to spend a lot of money.

*We want to see as many places as possible in our limited period of stay. That means entrance tickets for the whole family and air tickets for far off places. This should also come from the salary since there is no stable savings.

*With all these, we have to have some money for emergency... like health care. And since most of us plan of going back to India after a few years of stay, we need return tickets as well and some savings.

With all this, most of us might not be able to afford the best cars, the best and most modern clothes and shopping in the best stores! People should understand that if others CAN afford a better life style, why will they not go ahead and enjoy???

Life is not easy, my friend. If you observe such things, you should understand the situations behind this. It is not just commenting about our life style or talking cheaply about us being in inexpensive stores and sales.

Answer 2

Its funny that you ask that question. Well, being indian myself and having grown up in AMerica, I've seen both sides. In India, the currency is Rupee, and it doesnt go far spending like the American dollar. I hear so many stories from American's that they are knee deep in debts. Indians tend to save every penny for the future of their children, business and retirement. I remember when I was younger, my mother did the same, but if you think about it, how many times did you wear one outfit before you outgrew it??? Why spend the money if its only going to be worn a time or two. In high school, my parents could afford the high brand names and also send me to college, and buy a car for me. This is why Indians save every penny....for their children. I hope this answer was helpful. Let me know if yo have any further questions.

Answer 3

Maybe part of it is that they feel a very deep connection to their family. Some ethnicities put A LOT of emphasis on the family.
Plus, it might be religion. They believe in recarnation right? And if it works the way i think it works, if they aren't good to the ppl around them, they have to live another life instead of just going to 'heaven' were the buddas and buddahistavas are. And trust me, no one gets reincarnated into anything good if they turn the back on the family.

Answer 4

I don't know, but I wonder this myself. I had a rather frustrating incident at my vet clinic, where an Indian man and his mother, wanted to bargain and argue about the cost of everything, even though he already had a rather signifigant discount from the rescue where he got his puppy.

Answer 5

If Wall Mart Created only for Indians WallMart would have become bankrupt by now. There are only 1.5 million Indians in America. There are 290Million People in America. So there are more people than Idians buy at wallMart. Does this answer your Stupidity?

Answer 6

I think you answered your question yourself in the last paragraph. They are sending money home to support parents and other relatives. I've worked with many mexican immigrants and they don't have nice things for themselves because they are working hard and sacrificing for the sake of their families. If you only have to think about yourself, it's easy to be selfish and buy the best of everything, but if you have others relying on you, it's a might bit harder to justify.

Answer 7

You've answered your own question, but remember that Wal-Mart and Target are not just for "cheapos" or Indians, but for frugal people who know that designer clothes don't make you the best of anything....it's the personality that counts.

Answer 8

All overgeneralizations are false. I'm surprised that no one is even questioning the huge stereotyping you're doing.

Answer 9

Where you got all of that from, I have no idea. Maybe its just because they arent used to having money, and they think if they dont conserve it, it'll all be gone.

Answer 10

I know you know this already, but this is really a prejudicial statement and is unacceptable. Try not to stereotype, you will make friends much better.