> > On Fri, Jun 05, 2009 at 04:47:36PM -0400, Bruce Metcalf wrote: > > <snip> > > > >> Sorry, have to ask what is "jhoota"?
You know, from the Indian standpoint, a chef who puts a ladle/spoon into some food to lift out some gravy and then sips the gravy and puts the same ladle/spoon back in the gravy has committed the ultimate sin of contamination that food with his saliva which then becomes "jhoota". That food can then be consumed by no one but him. Exchange of body fluids between strangers and even members of the family is strictly discouraged. Any contact with anyone's lips is "contamination" It is possible that this is a brahmin characteristic. shiv
