how incredibly tasteless - why didn't that summary just go ahead and state income and tax bracket as well? or perhaps a one line sentence, bold-fonted "WE THINK WE ARE BETTER THAN YOU"

Hey c'mon roop, maybe that's how they identify themselves - hardworking, successful people. Or perhaps that's how their families percieve them...Its common in India anyway to mention all that in casual conversation, even without hint of classism. Most people will hang nameplates at the entrance to their property that doesn't just announce their name, but the degree they have and any other such thing...So, let them flaunt it if that's what they are doing.

how incredibly tasteless - why didn't that summary just go ahead and state income and tax bracket as well?

That's the NYT wedding section for you: snooty.

I don't think its tasteless. Snooty yes, well a little. Is this the American way of celebrating their success in career and love or some sort of insecurity whereby they have to shout it from the rooftops to convince themselves. Great that they make some serious bucks, save lives and are in love. Respect to all that, but why should I care?

I don't think it's snooty compared to the antebellum wedding announcements of society people here in the south. It is customary for the announcement to include the schools attended and jobs held by the bride and groom, and to include the full names of parents. These people may have gone a bit far with parental accolades, but in light of our often judgmental and competitive community, can you blame them for degree-dropping a little too much?

At least they didn't say something horribly self-congratulatory, redundant and overpunctuated like Dr. So And So, M.B.B.S. (Hons), M.D., M.P.H., FRCS, JD, blah, yadda, blah.

and if we're lucky, Veiled Conceit will tear it all apart in a few days...

i think i have to disagree with the comment about indian people stating their occupations "without a hint of classicism". indians? non-classist? i'm sorry - you're talking about a country that took a caste system based on occupation and turned it into a hierarchy of power and importance.

this "caste system" has manifested itself in a very interesting way in this country, with doctors at the top, lawyers and engineers after that, businessmen and bankers after that, etc. i can't even tell you how many times i've heard from an aunty or uncle, "oh, so-and-so is so intelligent...why didn't he become a doctor?"

i guess this isn't solely a desi thing - i imagine plenty of societies rank others by what they do - i just feel the indian community (my family included) places more importance on occupation than they should, and they really limit themselves as far as getting to know some otherwise wonderful people simply because they think they are "better".

personally, i like an occupationally diverse group of friends, but i know many others who won't stray beyong their own little md/jd/mba/etc. circles, and i wonder how much of that has to do with classism.

fear of the unknown.

And I am still in the dark. Why shouldn't they let the world know what they have studied? How does it affect us. If you are not interested in reading about the "rich and famous" do not read the Weddings page :-)) I like to read how the "other" half lives. Why not?? I can probably say the same thing. Why are people living in "BIG" cities always talking about going clubbing or some such tamasha... Our high point in University Park is a wild night out on Main street HA HA HA.

psudesi - thats not really the point is it? The point is that their personal lives are their personal lives. What do they gain from plastering it all over the press? Why show the world? Is it a "look world, I am in love" or "Ha, ha, look world, I am all that". Either way, they are inviting psychos, stalkers and that ilk of person to come destroy it all. Anyway, each to their own.

hey,
I know my question does not fit:
I just read Rushdie and wonder what "I must save one da gama at least"means

THANKS

Try reading the matrimonials of The Times of India or Hindustan Times.

You will laugh your ass off if you don't die crying.

Here is another NYT wedding announcement. I think this couple's story is endearing...