Please Try Once More

Trying saying No to someone in India...

It is very well known that when you are having a dinner with an Indian family, you should say your first 'No' mid-way into your meal. In India, a 'No' means 'Please Try Once More'.
Indians just do not know how to handle a 'No'.

These are a few meanings of the word 'No' from the Indian dictionary:
I am arrogant!
I do not like you!
I do not have the time!
You are last on my list of friends!
You are first in my list of enemies!

At a cultural festival in the US, I was part of an impromptu band belting out a mix of Hindi-English numbers for the crowd. After our act, the band was clearing the stage when the anchor approached me and asked me to stay on the stage. Again, she asked me to stay on the stage (not request me to). When I asked her why, she very comfortably said that she wanted me to play drums for the Antakshri.

Now I have seen a TVS SaReGaMa and the likes, but I am not meant for an orchestra. Hell, I don't event like playing movie Hindi music! (now don't you go hate me for this)

So what did I do? I committed the heinous crime of saying 'No! I am sorry, but I do not play Hindi music. I am not at all good at it.' Boy, her reaction was plain for the 350 odd people to see. My fellow band members froze and looked at me in a weird sort of way. I became the guy who said No. I should have given a plain-in-your-face-stupid excuse to save my ass! Like I just sprained my left eyelid or something.
I suddenly became anti-social. My popularity ratings dropped like Indian Wickets.

Why do we have to explain ourselves? Indian's are so very helpful, that we give you directions even if we are on the wrong side of the planet and suffering from amnesia. I have to say Yes coz I don't wanna look bad. hmmm... maybe that can explain my spare tire.