25 things you can relate to if you had a relative in the Gulf

9 years ago

Image source: filmysouth.com

Since the 1970s, the Gulf is a second home for a huge number of Indians, especially from Kerala. When they returned home after their long-term overseas stints, the gifts from the “Gelf” were standard procedure. We bring you some wonderful memories with a flashback.

Here’s a list of things you can relate to if you ever had a loved one in the Middle East.

1. Huge tins of Nido

Still don’t understand that obsession with Nido. Clearly, it wasn’t because of the unavailability of fresh milk in India.

2. Labello lip balms

Two each for Sini, Bini, Tini and Gini… Undoubtedly, the best lip balm we had in those days.

3. Staedtler pens and pencils

When everyone else used Camlin’s white-coloured pencil with pink flowers all over it, Daddy got us Staedtler from “Dubaaai.”

4. Tang, the national beverage

How eagerly we waited for the arrival of guests just to gulp down a glass of this orange drink that tasted like heaven.

5. Emergency lamp

Emergency light — Image courtesy: http://www.spyduniya.com

If there is a Gulf item we really hated during our childhood, it would be this magic lamp. Because of this, we were asked to study even during power-cuts.

6. That maroon torch

The ones I remember had a lanyard attached to it. I think most of us still have one of these at home in working condition.

7. Dry fruits, especially pista

The fact is these things were just as expensive in the Gulf as it has been in India. But, somehow it has become a must-have in an Indian expat’s gifts-for-relatives list.

8. Yardley English Lavender

Our households were accustomed to this regal smell, even before Katrina Kaif started using it.

9. Tiger balm and axe oil

Remember how many bottles of axe oil and tiger balm they used to get us with the money they scrimped and saved.

10. Nivea and Creme 21

The greasy “cremes” that made our normal-to-dry skin look oily.

11. This old box of quality street

Image courtesy: theovenexperiments.files.wordpress.com

Back then, a root cause of sibling rivalry.

12. Marlboro

A time when Marlboro pressed between the lips raised a man’s social status.

13. Brut perfume

One each for all those relatives who had asked to bring “spray.”

14. Magnetic pencil box with 4 or 5 switches

Another prized possession that put us a notch above our classmates.

15. Brick game

Owned this like a boss and took turns to play this simple, yet marvelous game

16. Those stone-studded hair accessories

Never felt it looked any good. But every aunt put this on her head with much pride and oomph!

17. Fake Lacoste t-shirts

Now that I know the original price of Lacoste products, I presume the ‘crocodile’ t-shirts that were given generously to every uncle and cousin, who walked into the house, were fake.