Although I come from a middle class family, I am starting to think that the Nepali middle class is a joke. First of all, the Nepali middle class family does not have that much money. It is a topic for a different day. Anyway, I think that the Nepali middle class is maha ज्ञानी when they are in Nepal. They know pretty much everything from the world affairs to what America will do next. But, I hardly hear them talk about themselves. However, when they go to a foreign country. We turn into a donkey from maha ज्ञानी . This has really started to surprise me. I wonder what makes this massive transformation on us. It must be money? You generally make more money when you work in a foreign country. Or, is it respect for work?

Let me share a real story with you. My wife and I were visiting Lumbini a couple of years ago. We hired a rickshaw to show us around. While the rickshaw driver was taking us to different temples in Lumbini, we had a brief conversation. He told me that he just got back from a gulf country after working there for a couple of years. He has again submitted his passport to go work in a gulf country. And, he is driving the rickshaw in the meantime while he is waiting to get his visa. He added that if he can work in a gulf country, why shouldn't he work in his own country and make some money? I agreed - work is work. What he said after this is something that I will never forget. He said that although he drives the rickshaw here, but he will not drive this rickshaw in his village even if I pay him 1000 rupees. If he drives the rickshaw in his village, his relatives will make fun of him. This is the thinking of the Nepali middle class. I think that we should start respecting work and working people not make fun of people who work.

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts/comments.