Had Your Lunch?

The first time that this question was asked to me, I must admit, I was completely befuddled. Sure, it sounds like a simple and straightforward question, but as with many situations, context is paramount. So here was the situation:



I had gone down to the reception area of NCBS (where I work) to get a set of keys for a common freezer that I needed access to. There are always a couple of fellows who sit at the front desk and are meant to act as security as well as key dispensers. On this particular occassion, only one guy was there, and after I asked for the key and was in the process of signing it out, he asks, "Had your lunch?" Now, as I do not really know these guys (I don't even know their names, though I am always friendly with them) I was kind of taken aback as my immediate thought was, "My god, is this his way of asking me to have lunch with him?" Luckily I had already had my lunch so I was able to say (truthfully) "Yes." I kept this to myself as I was not exactly sure as to what had transpired, though I was pretty sure that this guy was totally into me.



Well, as time has passed I have had to accept that Security Guy is not into me, because every time that I go down to get a key, I am asked if I have eaten something or another by whichever fellow happens to be there. I thought it possible that maybe one or two of the security guys might have a thing for me, but all of them? Not likely. After inquiring about these strange questions to my lab mates, I have found out that asking if one has had breakfast, lunch, dinner, or tea is the Karnataka equivalent of asking "How are you?" My lab mates found it quite hilarious that I had thought that this guy was hitting on me, and it has taken quite a while for my bruised ego to mend, but I will NEVER again try to read between the lines in cross-cultural dealings.



Maybe this doesn't sound so strange to you, but I just keep imagining the look that I would get if, when checking out at a grocery store in the US, instead of the obligatory, "How are you?" I asked the cashier "Had your lunch?"