Friendship is the same and different in India. It's the same in that it fulfills the same functions: the provision of nurture, support, entertainment, counsel, humility, etc. In the US, men are not typically nurturing towards each other. Usually this role is filled by a woman in a man's life. Indian friendships differ in this capacity. Cross gendered relationships are not unheard of here but the depth at which a male female relationship can go is limited. But friendships must serve the function of the object nurturer, so same gendered relationships fill this role.
I've been getting to know the male students better each day. It's an interesting and good experience being friends in this cultural context. Male touch is much more permissible and frequent, which I have no issues with since I grew up in a touchy family. The funny thing is that a close male relationship serves a different function here. Different... yet functioning to fill a needed role that is filled by another relationship in western culture. It makes me wonder how difficult it may be for Indian males to transition into a culture like mine where male relationships like this are not as common.
On another note, it makes me miss my roommates. It's true that in the US it is nontraditional for males to have nurturing male relationships, but I definitely did back in B-more, minus the hand holding. I hope you guys are doing well without me.
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