So today a conversation today reminded of the sweet nature of the Multani language (Seraiki). A description of the language itself is that it is a "sweet language." My parents both speak Multani, a language spoken predominantly by people of Multan and the surrounding areas. It is a very polite language and oftentimes a very indirect language.
The first time I realized how polite of a language it is was a conversation I overheard between my cousin and his mom at the dinner table. Instead of asking her if she wanted salt/pepper, he asked his mom what could be roughly translated as, "Mom, would you like the presence of salt/pepper at the table?"
Generally speaking nothing is asked directly, I once asked my uncle how would ask someone what they have eaten today. He started laughing, and said, "Don't ever ask anyone what they have eaten, that is considered very rude in Multani culture. If you want to know what they have eaten, offer them food, and they might tell you what they have eaten, otherwise do not every ask."
More on Multani/Seraiki culture later. For now you can hear this multani song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXm3ApKs1x4&feature=related
Try and ignore the weird men dancing. How you can ignore them is beyond me.
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