It is very true and good observation - how an Assamese usually would reply. Humility is one of the greatest virtues that we have - not all of us though - I must say.
I guess we have changed :) - am not sure for the better or worse, but it sure does depend on the situation.
Actually, as I mentioned once earlier (to Umesh-ji, in reference to behavior at work, if i remember correctly), at some work place, a remark like this (about how the guy looked with a particular tie and a shirt) that came from a female to a male employee was considered 'sexual harrassment'.
I thought other netters might like to comment some more so added the address of Assam net here.
>From: "priyankoo sarma" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: "priyankoo sarma" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "Alpana B.Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Re: RE: [Assam] A question
>Date: 26 Jun 2005 17:11:23 -0000
>
>Hi
>Thanks for your replies. I am actually a bit surprised by the replies. What I do if somebody compliments me is I just try to negate it. E.g. if somebody tells me " Priyankoo, you really sing well" . My answer to that will be "E..nohoy, eneye olop gao aru"
>
>In case of dresses what I have observed is that people like my mom would return the compliment on dress by saying "e..purona kaporjor..."
>
>What I am trying to say is that in Assamese society (at least the part I know) it is not a custom to accept
compliments...people try to me modest/humble by saying that "it is not so". What do you think about that?
>
>And I am really not sure about saying "dhonyobad", because I think we do not use the phrase "dhonyobad" as much as Americans do. I think here in the US if somebody compliments me I will say "Thanks,...." but in Assamese society I will never say "dhonyobad". I will rather say "jano!!"
>
>I am trying to see how politeness strategies work in Assamese.
>
>Thanks a lot
>
>Priyankoo
>
>
>Dex matho eta dharona, thikonar xex xari...
>The most important thing in life is never to forget who you are...
>
>
>http://www.plaza.ufl.edu/priyanku
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