12 Misconceptions About Bengalis That You Need To Get Right

India is a beautiful country with lots of regions and cultures, and sadly, stereotypes. Take us Bengalis for example, we’re ridden with stereotypes that people have taken upon themselves to make.

Being a Bengali who spent the first 20 years of her life in West Bengal, and have been living in other parts of India ever since, I have been subject to some really weird, and sometimes enraging misconceptions – from practically unknown strangers to even my friends from other cultures. So take it from a not-so-happy-about-being-stereotyped Bong, you need to get these 11 misconceptions about us straightened!

1. Not every one of us is from Kolkata

Seriously, people, there is more to West Bengal than just Kolkata! And in case you were really horrible in geography, here’s a map to help you with that knowledge.

In fact, plenty of Bengalis also hail from the states of Assam and Tripura.

 

2. And Bengali does not only mean Hindus from Bengal

It’s a culture based on a language people, not a religion.

 

3. We do not only eat fish

Sure, I love fish, but I love chicken more. And so do plenty other people.

 

4. And no. Not all of us are fond of rice

I personally love rotis way more than rice.

 

5. The only dessert dish for us is roshogolla. NOT

Believe me, we are blessed with very many different kinds of sweets and sweet dishes, like ‘pantua’

And ‘mowa’.

 

6. Not to mention that we all just meet and greet by saying “ami tomake bhalobashi”

No, we don’t. We do not love every other person we meet. And don’t you dare say that to us! Unless ofcourse, you actually do. Then you’re welcome.

 

7. And Devdas isn’t the only ‘epic saga’ that we have

Time to move on from Aishwarya’s “iiiisssshh” please!

 

8. No, we are most definitely not miserly

Have you ever seen the crowd during “chaitra sale”?

 

9. Not every Bengali woman is saree-clad, kajal reamed and doe-eyed or comes straight from a fairness cream ad

Every Bong woman is beautiful in her own way.

 

10. Neither is that all Bong guys are clad in kurta-pajama

True, some do wear that attire, but not all of them!

 

11. We do listen to plenty different kind of music other than Rabindrasangeet

In case you didn’t know, the Indian rock culture practically started in the 70’s with the Bengali band Moheener Ghoraguli.

 

12. All of us are not nerds, and neither do we not look beyond books

Have you heard of this person called Pranab Mukherjee? Oh, he’s just the President of India, no big deal.

You know that you should not judge a book by its cover, right? Well, the same way, do not judge a Bengali by the stereotypes!

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