Just because something isn't needed, doesn't mean to say that we shouldn't do it. IMO as an adult who is earning money, if you ('you' in general) are consuming someone elses resources then then you should be paying them for it. I don't really get the concept of ripping off (sponging, taking liberties or whatever you wanna call it) your parents.
The whole concept of 'borrowing' is that you have to pay it back - otherwise it is called 'stealing' or 'accepting a gift'
Especially in this case, where they are getting a lot of money for something they don't even need, a holiday! It's not like they needed the money to pay for essentials like shelter, clothing or food. I don't see why the parents should have to shell out their hard earned so their child can go off galavanting around someplace - especially if said child couldn't pay for it themselves. If money is that much of a problem they should be sorting out a job not swanning off on hols - or atleast agreeing to pay back the money as they have in this case.
As you say, it may well be a cultural thing. I don't profess to know much about what Indian households are like, but my rather outdated and blinkered view of many foreign countries is that there are large (age gap) families all living under one roof, rather than the UK model where most people move out in their teens or twenties.
Hehe, some families are like that, that's true. But I think that's on the decrease. You're right about the moving out bit though, if your family is in the same city, everyone I know would live at home, age regardless. (agreed, by "people i know" i mean friends who are about my age
) No one would move out that young.
my friend in that case, is paying off the money by working etc. But my parents point of view was it that you're young once, you should go out and enjoy. This time in life won't come back, and once you have a job and family etc. you won't have the time too. Tis a great experience to go on a holiday traveling with friends etc. My parents paid for me, because they want to see me have fun. Me happy, makes them happy (no, im not presuming this. they told me as much)
As freefaller said, yes, it will be a shock once i'm in the real world etc. and that's why my parents are doing what they can to prepare me for it. Which is the reason I lived at halls last year, to get an experience of what it would be like. (next year my mom goes back to India, but i'l be continuning, so need to get used to it etc.
this will not be fun since I can't cook, lol)
but using that as an example, my parents want be to learn how to cook, be independent etc. , but that's because i'l have to be once she leaves. If she was still around, it wouldn't be a problem.
Still, by the looks of it, it is a cultural thing, and at least from my side, tis best to leave it at that. Doubt anyones going to get convinced by anyone else
).