Cultural Differences - Accessories

(ok, this was written a month back, but i just managed to post it, after letting it hybernate for a while) I am back in Chennai after a year. Things i have taken for granted now surprises me. Its amazing how even use of accessories differ in different cultures. I wouldnt step out without an umbrella on a summer day in Chennai. But in a Western world, you take an umbrella out during summer and people think you are nuts. Its meant for a rainy season!!! Well, we (South Indians) also use it for monsoon season - but it is not a must. In Chennai, it is a common sight to see motor bike riders wearing gloves -specially ladies wear long cotton gloves which almost reaches out to their shoulder blades to protect their hands from sun - this is more to protect the skin color from getting dark (fair-skinned-syndrome - more a color paranoia) than genuine fear getting sun burn. Gloves is a must have winter wear in a Western country. I wear ankle length socks or stockings to protect my feet from getting dusty or dirty and to protect from the sun (i do admit that i have a paranoia for protecting my feet and i am known to have a foot fetish). But i have noticed foreign ladies would love to wear sandals all day long, year around if the weather permits. Women abroad invest on shoes and bags and earrings or other accessories to suit the season, the dress, and the style in vogue. But South Indian women, especially Chennaiites, hmm, having one gold earring is better than 1000 matching sets of shoes, fashion earrings, bags, etc. Why was i an aberration?