And will you not remove your jacket? So formal! Now that is not typical of Americans, at least not in my experience. You prefer that seat, with your back so close to the wall? Very well, although you will benefit less from the intermittent breeze, which, when it does blow, makes these warm afternoons more pleasant. But the quality of its tea, I assure you, is unparalleled. Its metal chairs are no better upholstered, its wooden tables are equally rough, and it is, like the others, open to the sky. Have I guessed correctly? Then allow me, sir, to suggest my favorite among these many establishments. Instead, it was your bearing that allowed me to identify you, and I do not mean that as an insult, for I see your face has hardened, but merely as an observation.Ĭome, tell me, what were you looking for? Surely, at this time of day, only one thing could have brought you to the district of Old Anarkali-named, as you may be aware, after a courtesan immured for loving a prince-and that is the quest for the perfect cup of tea. True, your hair, short-cropped, and your expansive chest-the chest, I would say, of a man who bench-presses regularly, and maxes out well above two-twenty-five-are typical of a certain type of American but then again, sportsmen and soldiers of all nationalities tend to look alike. Nor was it your dress that gave you away a European tourist could as easily have purchased in Des Moines your suit, with its single vent, and your button-down shirt. How did I know you were American? No, not by the color of your skin we have a range of complexions in this country, and yours occurs often among the people of our northwest frontier. I noticed that you were looking for something more than looking, in fact you seemed to be on a mission, and since I am both a native of this city and a speaker of your language, I thought I might offer you my services.

Do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America. The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Houghton Mifflin, 2007).Įxcerpt from The Reluctant FundamentalistĮXCUSE ME, SIR, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I see I have alarmed you.

The reluctant fundamentalist pages