Ever since I was kid, I've always had a thing for Indian culture
Something about the food, the music, the dancing just always fascinated me
And so this month I finally decided to learn Hindi for real
And then try to practice with random strangers in public
So that's what I've been doing
You know, I live in New York
And India is...
...very far away
But fortunately the next best option
Is right here in New Jersey
Which has just like a ton of Indians
Honestly from every part of India
I'm going to see how far I can get in New Jersey
Just by speaking Hindi
And I'm honestly a little nervous because
Not every Indian person speaks Hindi
And also, I've just been learning it on the Internet
And I'm not really sure how well I can speak it
So hopefully people can understand what I say
And so we are also going to try and enjoy some Indian food today
And see what we can get
* notices paan shop, popular Indian street stimulant *
This is paan?
Yeah
Yeah I was thinking maybe I wanted to get some
You want paan??
Yeah yeah yeah
The last time I had paan...
...I absolutely loved it
Come inside!
So you like paan, huh?
Yeah, I love it
Which one do you want, I'll make you a good one!
Well do you have the sweet kind?
Yeah, the sweet kind
How many shall I make?
Just one?
One, then
Yeah
Okay
Sorry, I honestly don't speak Hindi that well!
Okay okay okay
Sweet, right?
Yeah
Sweet sweet
Ah so you make it fresh, that's cool
Do people eat this a lot in India?
Yeah, absolutely
Of course
I had no idea
I don't really know much about paan honestly
You are from?
I'm American
American?!
Wow
Very good
I've been practicing
Are you?
Just a bit
Oh beautiful
How do I do this? Just go in?
Yes yes
Yeah good?
Delicious!
Hi...
Can I get tea here?
Tea?
Just one?
Yeah
Can I get it not sweet?
Wait, do you speak Hindi?
You don't want it sweet?
Right yeah
It's because I'm a little chubby
Okay
Thanks
So where in India is this food from?
Gujarat
Gujarat okay
Are there a lot of Gujaratis around here?
You must have visited India?
Never...
Never? How do you...
I've just been learning a bit online
Very nice
We are starting the day right with some delicious Indian Chai
So good
Hi
Hello
Do you guys do takeout?
Takeout? Is this the menu?
Yes
Do you mind if I try and order in Hindi?
Sorry?
Can I order in Hindi?
I'm trying to practice
Do you have a favorite?
*My* favorite?
Yeah
Would you like to go with veg, or not veg?
Oh veg, lets do veg
Dal makhani?
Dal makhani yeah
Dal makhani...
Is it good?
Yeah, it is good
Can I get it to go?
I've never...
...tried it before
Yeah, never
* then they gave me free beer for some reason! *
Xiaoma: That's awesome! Guy: Enjoy
Perfect, I love Budweiser
I'm sorry?
I said I love Budweiser
Oh you speak Hindi too?
A bit
You are in school right?
No no
I'm a YouTuber
Oh, YouTube!
I've been trying to learn online, with my Indian friends
That's great!
But still a work in progress!
Yeah that's great
So I'm making this video about Hindi, and Indian food...
Yeah so...
That's awesome man, nice to see you man
That's I really appreciate it, I'll let you know how it is
Okay, thanks guys
They gave me free beer for speaking Hindi?
Okay!
I'll take it! That's nice
One of the coolest things about learning Hindi is...
Learning what everything on the Indian menu means
Because I love Indian restaurants but I never know
What does saag paneer mean?
What does dal mean?
I don't know, I just know that it's dal
But now it's "Lentils" so it's great
Oh yeah
Oh my god
And that is a spicy...
Flavorful
Salty
Hi
Can I get a paratha?
With potatoes?
Potatoes?
Yeah
* notices Indian song "Doobey" playing *
I love this song
Alright look at this gorgeous chili cheese paratha here
That's like spicy
It's so hot
It's like spicy, salty, savory
Are these Indian sweets?
Indian sweets?
Yeah
Yeah?
Carrot halwa?
Can I try some?
Huh?
How much?
Maybe like...
Just a little?
Okay, I'll only give you 125 grams
How much is it?
$5
Sorry...
My Hindi is no good
No problem!
I'm American
Hindi? How can you learn?
I've been learning online for a month
Have you been to India yet?
Never, not yet!
I said I haven't been to India yet
But I'd love to go soon
Why are you learning Hindi?
Indian culture, Indian music...is the best
Great, it's just...
It's so cool yeah
If this one is real good, you come back
It's good?
I'll try it
Try it a little bit warm
Okay I'll let you know
Carrot halwa, man I just love how
Orangey this looks
Look at that it's just beautiful
Lets try it
Oh my god
That's like the greatest desert I've ever had it's incredible
Alright it's time to get a favorite thing of mine
Do you guys have the salty lassi?
No
No?
Only mango lassi
Hey!
You're the famous YouTuber!
Me? I'm not that famous
Yeah you are!
You know me?
You're super famous
Nice to meet you
You take a lot of videos around here?
I'm just practicing my Hindi today
In New Jersey!
Yeah exactly!
Thanks man yeah
Nice to meet you
Keep up the good work
Thank you! You too
Definitely could not end the day without
Some amazing mango lassi
Even though to be honest I kind of prefer
The salty lassi
But mango lassi is pretty good too
Oh my god
It's like drinking a liquid mango
If you guys live in the area I would 100%
Recommend coming out to journal square
AKA New Jersey's little India
Man this was a really fun time