By now, I have accepted the fact that this particular cultural phenomenon is going to forever be an endless source of confusion for me, lol… as I misunderstand what people are asking of me every single time! 😂

As a photographer, my daily job is to TAKE photos.

🇮🇳 📸 So when I am traveling in other countries and out in public — with multiple professional cameras and enormous lenses around my neck — and a stranger comes up to me asking for a photo, my brain instantly assumes that the person is clearly wanting me to TAKE A PHOTO THEM.

Not that they are wanting to take a picture of ME AND THEM TOGETHER! 😆

🇺🇸 We don’t do this in America, except with maybe celebrities, so trust me — when this starts happening to you, you will likely spend several days trying to figure out who you look like, AKA, what celebrity all these people keep mistaking you for!?!

🌍 Even though this is a commonplace occurrence throughout much of the developing world, it is so surreal that it catches me by surprise every single time.

🇺🇸 In America, the only reason you’d confront a stranger in public about photography is if you were asking them to please do you the courtesy of taking your picture… likely in front of some monument or beautiful landscape or whatever.

And almost every American would undoubtedly be horrified / confused if you suddenly began incorporating yourself into the frame next to them and their family, smiling like yall were old buddies.

But believe it or not, that’s exactly what people in many countries want you to do. 🤪

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📸💻 While you wait for these episodes to roll out, you can visit my website for more of my photography and stories. 🤗

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