Bar fight in Chennai

So, we want to know about the almost bar fight, eh?  ;)  Wasn't really all that much. 
We went to a bar at a nice hotel with my friend Pratik and a friend of his. The four of us sat at a nice table, they had beers I had diet coke, we ordered food, I was watching people drinking and talking and dancing and doing what people do in bars. Nobody was sloppy, and it seemed more like groups of friends having fun rather than any kind of "pick up" activity. Just a nice night out in a nice "Applebees" kind of place.

My Indian friends tell me that going to bars is an uncommon activity for the vast majority of people, especially the women.  I was enjoying seeing the young people acting like free young people. I see the weight of convention as rather heavy here, especially for the women. I imagine it is quite similar to what it was like in the US - remember when "good" girls didn't go to bars?  :::blech::::

Anyway, I wanted to take a picture of Pratik.  I pulled out the camera, and within seconds the "camera police" were there telling me pictures were not allowed.  Well, as those who know me know, when I'm told I'm not allowed to do something, something that is quite harmless and what I WANT to do, I get testy.  He tells me that pictures are not allowed.  Thinking I would accept that as an answer was his mistake. I asked why they were not allowed.  He said that picture taking is not allowed in any pubs in Chennai.  Mistake number 2 - still does't tell me why.  I asked again, "why?" Same bullshit answer. Now, I am bright, do have a clue and know why.  Oooh.. somebody "may" not want to be captured while in a pub.  Another convention thing, and a "what would THEY think?" I can't stand those.  Who CARES what other people think? 
Well, apparently these folks do and it'll take a while to get past that, if ever, and just because I don't care doesn't mean I need to lay that down as a shared response. That one's going to need to change, though. Tourists and more that come into this country and partake of such outings are going to want pictures.
And really..  the risk of anyone caught in the background of my picture of my friend being shared with their freinds and neighbors and family who would judge them for it is very, very low.

I told the dude, you can tell me that's the rule, but if you can't tell me the WHY behind the rule, I can't accept it. He wsan't getting it, so I let the poor guy go after a few more rounds of questions.

That's when Lisa dubbed it a bar fight. 

Pratik's friend who accompanied us (wish I could remember his name) told me he'd taken picutures many times there.  Pratik told me to go ahead and take the photo.  I did not.  I don't need trouble in Chennai my first week there on behalf of Ameriprise Financial and TATA.  THAT would probably not look good, and there is where I care what others think.

Just a little.  I was tempted.  ;)