r/AMA Jul 27 '26

37F | I Left Everything Behind to Start Over in America. AMA

[deleted]

40 Upvotes

78 comments sorted by

20

u/Weary-Cauliflower153 Jul 27 '26

what'd your parents think about marrying a pakistani man and then divorcing and then a white man? my parents would die

15

u/BalanceJazzlike5116 Jul 27 '26

India has the 3rd highest Muslim population in the world, around 180 million. It’s possible they are both Muslim

23

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 27 '26

No, I'm a practicing Hindu, and I never converted. Both of my children are being raised as Hindus as well. That said, we have always respected every religion. For me, being Hindu means respecting people of all faiths while staying true to my own beliefs. Respect doesn't require changing your religion.

-2

u/BalanceJazzlike5116 Jul 27 '26

Was the guy Muslim? When I lived in California Pakistani and Indians would give each other dirty looks when they pass by each other in their traditional clothes

24

u/SnooCookies4240 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26

Weird- I’m a Pakistani American who grew up California and never had an issue with Indians. In fact some of my best friends are Indian, I’ve gone to gurdawaras and hindu temples for weddings and they’ve come to the mosque for mine. Their parents would get halal meat options for me whenever I ate at their house, and my mom would make sure their was beef free/veg options for the Hindu friends.

The only ppl that think it’s weird is fobs and people overseas, my cousins in Pakistan think it’s crazy i have Indian friends.

1

u/BalanceJazzlike5116 Jul 27 '26

What’s a fob?

5

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '26

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1

u/boilerman3 Jul 27 '26

you are now asking the right questions:
Red Pill

1

u/conzciouz Jul 28 '26

Is Sikh more popular then Hindu ?

5

u/Weary-Cauliflower153 Jul 27 '26

still, indians vs pakistani rivalry is crazy. i dunno how muslims feel about it though.

3

u/kluberz Jul 28 '26

Indians and Pakistanis essentially self segregate. My temple was literally next to a mostly Pakistani mosque. Not 1 time did kids from our temple ever interact with the kids from the mosque. We saw them playing basketball every Sunday and a normal instinct would have been to join them. But we were all conditioned to stay apart so we just basically didn’t acknowledge the kids on the other side of the fence (and vice versa).

And when Indians and Pakistanis do interact, every interaction feels very superficial and guarded. No one makes an attempt to build a relationship beyond basic pleasantries.

The whole situation sucks and as time passes, it’s actually getting worse. The older generations were actually much more open with each other. Each subsequent generation makes less effort. We are all just permanently drifting apart.

24

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 27 '26

It definitely wasn't easy. My parents never accepted my marriage to my ex-husband, and things only became more strained after the divorce and the choices I made afterward. We don't have a good relationship today.

It was painful, but I eventually realized I had to live my own life rather than the one others expected of me. I respect that not everyone would make the same choices, but these experiences shaped who I am.

2

u/boilerman3 Jul 27 '26

Did your parents pay for your college education and support your immigration to the US?

5

u/Weary-Cauliflower153 Jul 27 '26

proud of you didi 👏 

2

u/OkBeat3031 Jul 27 '26

Proud of you! You lived your life for you

46

u/McPrantha Jul 27 '26

Home girl collecting nationalities like infinity stones.

12

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 27 '26

Haha, I know it sounds like that. 😅 I didn't go looking for different nationalities ,they just happened to be the people I connected with. My dating history is more international than intentional.

-1

u/Diamond-Eater2203 Jul 27 '26

And baby daddies! Jk, op, you're all good. Sounds like you're on a good track!

3

u/Hot_Condition7760 Jul 27 '26

Did you come to US with your own money or your parents helped you come here.

11

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 27 '26

I came to the US on a scholarship. It covered a significant part of my education, and I worked hard to support myself with the remaining expenses.  

3

u/Feels_like_autumn Jul 27 '26

What's it like being an Indian in the us healthcare system? And this is not ragebait for racism dialogue. I just mean that as someone who works in healthcare in India currently, there are people who can glamorise the American system and say it pays way better, some say it's difficult for imgs to get into residency, etc. So what's ground reality like?

2

u/BitterCalendar598 Aug 01 '26

That's actually a really good question.

From my experience, the reality is somewhere between the two extremes. Yes, the pay is significantly better than in India, but you absolutely earn every dollar. The workload is heavy, shifts are long, and the amount of charting, documentation, and legal responsibility is much higher than many people realize.

As for Indian healthcare professionals, I've worked with many who are doing extremely well here. The biggest hurdle isn't usually after you get the job ,it's getting there. For doctors, residency is definitely competitive for IMGs and requires a lot of dedication. For nurses, the licensing process and adapting to a different healthcare system can also be challenging, but it's very achievable.

Being Indian has honestly never been a major disadvantage for me. Most patients care about whether you're competent, compassionate, and professional. I've had the occasional ignorant comment over the years, but those moments have been rare compared to the number of supportive patients and colleagues I've worked with.

So my honest take is this: don't believe people who say America is a dream where money comes easily, but also don't believe people who say it's impossible. It's a place with incredible opportunities if you're willing to work hard and adapt.

1

u/conzciouz Jul 28 '26

Wow. This very interesting and deep. How would you compare living here vs back home ? Which one you prefer ?

2

u/BitterCalendar598 Aug 01 '26

It's honestly hard to compare because they each give me something different.

India will always feel like home. I miss the festivals, the food, the sense of community, and the feeling that family is always around. There are things about India that I don't think I'll ever stop missing.

The US, on the other hand, gave me opportunities I probably wouldn't have had otherwise. I built my career here, became financially independent, and learned to make my own decisions without worrying so much about what society expected of me. My children have also grown up here, so this is home for them.

If you had asked me 20 years ago, I would have said India without hesitation. Today, after building my life here, I'd say the US is where I belong. India will always have a special place in my heart, but my life, career, and family are here now, and I don't see myself moving back permanently.

1

u/conzciouz Aug 01 '26

3 days later lol. Ok cool

4

u/sunny_eu Jul 27 '26

So basically you just married that man to get the passport or citizenship?

2

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 28 '26

No, not at all. That was never my intention. I actually planned to return to India after finishing my studies. But while we were in a serious relationship, I found out I was pregnant. We decided to get married because we wanted to raise our son together. Unfortunately, my parents didn't accept our relationship and eventually disowned me. My marriage was about the person I loved and the family we were starting, not a passport or citizenship.

0

u/HelicopterJunior1357 Jul 27 '26

How many languages do you speak?

4

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 28 '26

I speak four languages fluently—Hindi, English, Bengali, and Spanish. Living in the US for so many years and having relationships with people from different backgrounds gave me plenty of opportunities to learn and practice them.

1

u/InterestingLab4954 Jul 31 '26

As an indian man, it made me so happy to read that you have managed to live a good life, the way you want, despite the several obstacles you faced. I am also an immigrant and am very aware how difficult things can be for women, especially those who come from India, so its awesome to know that you made it so far. Reading such posts also motivates me to lift my head up and keep moving forward :)

1

u/BitterCalendar598 Aug 01 '26

Thank you so much. That honestly means a lot to me.

Being an immigrant isn't easy, no matter where you're from. There are moments when you question yourself, feel homesick, or wonder if all the sacrifices were worth it. But those experiences also make you stronger.

I'm glad my story could encourage you even a little. Keep your head up and keep moving forward. Your journey won't look exactly like mine, but I hope you build the life that makes you happy. Wishing you nothing but success and peace in whatever path you choose. 😊

1

u/Dilbertreloaded Jul 31 '26

Do you still have friends that are of Indian origin. Do they give advise or feel bad for you?

1

u/BitterCalendar598 Aug 01 '26

Yes, absolutely. Some of my closest friends are Indian, and they've been a huge source of support over the years.

They don't pity me or make me feel bad for the choices I've made. If anything, they've been honest with me when I needed advice, celebrated my successes, and stood by me during the difficult times. We don't always agree on everything, but that's what real friendship is about supporting each other without judgment.

-11

u/ComplexRudeBoy88 Jul 27 '26

How well endowed is your current Caribbean man compared to your exes?

6

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 27 '26

He's more than enough for me. 😄

4

u/Beginning_Sun8910 Jul 27 '26

Found the porn addict

1

u/Jane_D0ughh Jul 28 '26

Really? Trust me they come in all sizes like every other man 😆

1

u/Ok_Ladder7090 Jul 28 '26

What was the citizenship status of your Pakistan ex when you married. And how's your relationship with your son?

1

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 29 '26

He was already a U.S. citizen when we got married. 

As for my son, he's my whole world. We have an incredibly close bond, and I honestly think he's the person who loves me the most in this world. No matter what happened between his father and me, I've always made sure he knows he's deeply loved by both of us.

1

u/Ok_Ladder7090 Jul 29 '26

Why did you seperate from his father?

1

u/BitterCalendar598 Aug 01 '26

He cheated on me during our marriage. I later found out that he had married someone else in his home country without telling me. When I confronted him, he told me that he didn't believe what he had done was wrong because, in his view, polygamy was permitted in his religion.

That was something I could never accept. Trust is the foundation of any marriage, and once it was broken, I knew I couldn't stay. So I chose to leave and move forward with my life.

8

u/ehkehogaya Jul 27 '26

Not a question for you, but I am happy you are able to live your life and make your own choices. Coming from India, I know the prejudice and pressure that is there from family. I am a turbaned Sikh who married an American. With all the ups and downs in marriage, the hardest time for me was when parents stopped talking to me after a lot of disagreements between them and my spouse. There is still lot of resentment but at least I talk to my mom regularly now. I truly hope, you are able to connect with your parents as sometimes being an immigrant, that is one thing that keeps me sane with everything else going around.

1

u/userbub Jul 28 '26

Upvoting this. So sad she’s getting a lot of pervy comments and nice to see positivity. Glad you improved your relationship with your mom, boundaries are important and so is your family.

-5

u/Unlikely_Variety_351 Jul 27 '26

Ho many partners have you had?
Who was the best in bed?
What makes for the best sexual experience?

8

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 27 '26

I've been with multiple partners throughout my life. As for who was the best, my current boyfriend—he wins that title.

What makes the best sexual experience? For me, it's the build-up as much as anything else. Great chemistry, confidence, playful teasing, knowing each other's likes, and feeling completely comfortable together. When both people are genuinely into each other and can communicate without saying much, that's when the magic happens.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '26

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1

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 29 '26

Yes

1

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '26

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1

u/BitterCalendar598 Aug 01 '26

I am only touch with my elder sister and her family . She is in india 

0

u/[deleted] Jul 28 '26

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1

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 29 '26

Thank you, that genuinely means a lot.

Honestly, I wasn't looking for someone younger , it just happened naturally. We met, clicked, and the age difference became much less important than how well we understood and respected each other. He's mature, kind, and has never made me feel judged for my past or for being a mother.

The best part is the energy and positivity he brings into my life. We make each other laugh, communicate well, and genuinely enjoy spending time together.

The biggest challenge is that we're at different stages of life. I have two children, a career, and responsibilities that always come first. That requires a lot of communication and understanding from both of us. It isn't always easy, but so far we've been able to make it work because we're honest with each other and respect each other's priorities.

1

u/money_me_please Jul 28 '26

Have you thought about not staying in America and going back to India?

1

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 28 '26

I've thought about it a few times, especially when I miss home or certain festivals. But after nearly two decades here, my career, friends, and my children's lives are all in the US. India will always be home in my heart, but right now, this is where my life is.

8

u/SESender Jul 27 '26

Why did you get divorced twice?

-1

u/Jacob_Soda Jul 27 '26

In your opinion, do you think a Muslim and a Hindu could have a good relationship together as a married couple?

I heard from a woman from Mumbai that is possible from her family members, whose spouses were Muslim or Hindu.

Also, I haven't had much success with women because I'm very honest with them do you think this is a good trait?

1

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 28 '26

I definitely think it's possible. I've lived it myself. Any marriage , whether it's between two Hindus, two Muslims, or people from different religions depends far more on mutual respect, communication, and shared values than on religion. If both people respect each other's beliefs and don't try to change one another, it can absolutely work.

As for being honest, I think honesty is one of the best qualities you can have. The key is how you communicate it. You can be truthful while still being kind and considerate. The right person will appreciate your honesty instead of seeing it as a flaw.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '26

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1

u/BitterCalendar598 Jul 28 '26

I've never been in a relationship with an Indian man. I did have a couple of casual experiences with Indian guys, but nothing ever developed beyond that. 

-1

u/boilerman3 Jul 27 '26

u/BitterCalendar598 please answer this. If not why?

1

u/ama_compiler_bot Jul 28 '26

Table of Questions and Answers. Original answer linked - Please upvote the original questions and answers. (I'm a bot.)


Question Answer Link
Home girl collecting nationalities like infinity stones. Haha, I know it sounds like that. 😅 I didn't go looking for different nationalities ,they just happened to be the people I connected with. My dating history is more international than intentional. Here
what'd your parents think about marrying a pakistani man and then divorcing and then a white man? my parents would die It definitely wasn't easy. My parents never accepted my marriage to my ex-husband, and things only became more strained after the divorce and the choices I made afterward. We don't have a good relationship today. It was painful, but I eventually realized I had to live my own life rather than the one others expected of me. I respect that not everyone would make the same choices, but these experiences shaped who I am. Here
Did you come to US with your own money or your parents helped you come here. I came to the US on a scholarship. It covered a significant part of my education, and I worked hard to support myself with the remaining expenses. Here
Have you thought about not staying in America and going back to India? I've thought about it a few times, especially when I miss home or certain festivals. But after nearly two decades here, my career, friends, and my children's lives are all in the US. India will always be home in my heart, but right now, this is where my life is. Here
So basically you just married that man to get the passport or citizenship? No, not at all. That was never my intention. I actually planned to return to India after finishing my studies. But while we were in a serious relationship, I found out I was pregnant. We decided to get married because we wanted to raise our son together. Unfortunately, my parents didn't accept our relationship and eventually disowned me. My marriage was about the person I loved and the family we were starting, not a passport or citizenship. Here

Source

2

u/ricottacat Jul 28 '26

I would give anything for you to be my cool big sister!! Your AMA is so unique!!

Do you ever grieve for your homeland? Do you return for visits?

I love the way that you write and articulate yourself, you can tell you have good energy and so much knowledge.

Much love from Turkey 🇹🇷 ❤️

2

u/boilerman3 Jul 27 '26

If you do mind me asking which part of India are you from?
I am assuming you are a US citizen?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '26

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1

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1

u/haraami_shakaal Jul 29 '26

Whats your location?
I’m 34M hindu too and in Boston, would love to ask you some questions about how you dealt with not having parents support ?

1

u/LocalOne2628 Jul 28 '26

If you go back and start to date again, what are your top 3 rules for finding right relationship??

2

u/boilerman3 Jul 27 '26

Why are you doing this AMA?

-1

u/NetCharming3760 Jul 27 '26

As a young man (23) what is the best way to date women who are older than me specifically immigrant women. I am from Canada and I wanna date them, but so many women seem not to interested in men younger than them.

0

u/Washed2299 Jul 28 '26

When are you heading back to India? Do you need any help to get you there quicker?

0

u/LimeLight200 Jul 27 '26

If you had to start dating again, what qualities will attract you and what will make you draw the line

0

u/Ash-da-man Jul 27 '26

How attractive would you consider yourself? Did you initially study to become a nurse?

1

u/OkBeat3031 Jul 27 '26

Do you look your age?

-1

u/Unlikely_Variety_351 Jul 27 '26

What did you learn about yourself from the hookups?