the indian philosophy of generosity, and what we can learn from it

the reality of modern life means that our quotidian existence is structured around exchange - the coffee you buy from your local cafe each morning, the uber driver who takes you home from work, the waiter who takes your order - our need for transport, food, or experiences brings us into contact with countless people each day. most of these we take for granted, and most aren’t terribly memorable. in india, each of these daily interactions is a chance to connect with others, a practice encapsulated by the philosophy of paisa vasool. so what does living paisa vasool mean? and how can it make us better travellers?

Paisa vasool is the Indian concept of getting the most out of what you spend. Its rough translation is “value for money”. In a country of great wealth inequality, where 60% of the country live on less than $3.20 a day, being prudent with one’s money is an economic imperative, rather than the luxury many of us have in developed countries to save for things like holidays or a new dress. But the concept is about so much more than just money.

At its core, paisa vasool is about human connection, and being gracious within these relationships. Structured around exchange, Indian society is inbuilt with this idea of paisa vasool. Whether it’s going to the same market vendor every day because they know the exact way you like your food cooked or asking a store owner about the best place to get your hair cut, it’s about getting the most out of your money, and from this comes human connection. The concept of barkat is connected to this, illustrating the notion of blessing or abundance. "We say that when there is barkat, when there is morality around the source and use of money, there is grace in the way it seems to stretch. There's no sense of not having enough," says Dr. Supriya Singh, honorary professor in sociology of communications at RMIT. “In India, money is a medium of relationship,” she says, meaning that coming from a place of lack, people spend what they have carefully, and share it with those around them. It’s a concept that makes the world feel a lot smaller, especially in a place so vast and populated as India.

When it comes to travel, we can all learn a lot from paisa vassol. When you’re travelling in a foreign country, the shock of a new sensory experience can be overwhelming. And whilst travel guides have their place, interacting with locals and taking the time to connect with the taxi driver, or vendor who serves you a cup of coffee, will make the unknown feel a lot less scary.