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Seema Goswami

Articles by Seema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Swept under the carpet

Why do Indians, at home and abroad, treat household staff so terribly? We want the best deals from our employers, how about passing it on to our help too?

In Downton Abbey, the household staff were treated fairly well.

Brunch

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 06:07 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: We’re only getting older, baby

Why were we all so eager to rush into adulthood? Growing up means an endless loop of responsibilities and chores. And wishing we were young again

Settling down and preparing for a child isn’t easy, as Verona and Burt realise in Away We Go (2009).

Brunch

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 12:19 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: There’s lots to unpack here

Movies make travelling light seem effortless. But with a little adjustment, you can learn to let go of stuff you don’t need

In the movie Monte Carlo (2011), the girls had all the right accessories and clothes for their five-day trip

Brunch

Updated on Jun 14, 2024 05:07 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Guess who’s coming to dinner

Some guests take their welcome much too seriously, don’t think twice about being disrespectful, and are wholly unbearable. Here’s how to identify them

Some guests love to give backhanded compliments, like the sarcastic stepmother in Fleabag (2016 - 2019).

Brunch

Updated on Jun 07, 2024 04:32 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: In it for the long haul

Travelling gets better as you grow older. But less pressure and more funds bring with them aching bones and low energy. Here’s how to cope

Don’t hesitate to use reward points and get an upgrade, especially on long sectors. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Brunch

Updated on May 31, 2024 03:51 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: We’re like chaat and cheese

Indians and Italians have quite a lot in common. From food to family to identity, the similarities are striking

Indians and Italians are similar in terms of their love for family and community. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Brunch

Updated on May 24, 2024 04:55 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Who’s the third world now?

There was a time when Egypt or Lagos were considered lawless lands. Now one has to be on guard in London and Paris

It’s not just Cairo that has pickpockets and muggers, but first-world cities like Paris and Naples too. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Travel

Published on May 17, 2024 05:08 AM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Notes from a branch manager

There’s not a seed of doubt: Plants and flowers teach us perseverance, patience and resilience. They may also be the key to leaving behind a legacy that lasts

Even small-scale gardening can create opportunities for life lessons. (ADOBE STOCK)

Brunch

Updated on May 10, 2024 06:19 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Let’s not be selfie-ish

Eat, pray, love, pose for a photo. Holidays are less about living in the moment and more about documenting it to show off online. Why not make memories instead?

Instagram has changed how we holiday, dictating what we wear and how we pose for selfies. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Brunch

Updated on May 03, 2024 03:43 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Get all the tales wagging

Logging out and heading on vacation? Load up the Kindle with these new books. They’re perfect by the beach or hillside

A suitcase full of book recommendations, just in time for the summer vacations.

Brunch

Updated on Apr 26, 2024 04:59 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: There’s lots to unpack here

Moving house is bittersweet. There’s tons of decluttering to get through, to make room for new memories. Here are my tips

The BBC show Sort Your Life Out gets families to lay out all their personal possessions in a huge warehouse and take stock.

Brunch

Updated on Apr 19, 2024 04:45 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: 99% perspiration, 1% vacation

Is it necessary to hustle for that muscle on a holiday? Why not stay active by exploring the town you’re in instead?

The choice to work out inside a gym while on vacation is a personal one. (ADOBE STOCK)

Brunch

Updated on Apr 12, 2024 09:55 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: The second coming of age

Parents and grandparents have realised that they don’t owe their children cushy lives, nor do they have to save every penny for them. After all, YOLO

This generation of parents and grandparents will spend their savings on taking holidays. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Apr 05, 2024 05:00 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: The princess and the plea

After weeks of speculation, the Princess of Wales was forced to reveal her diagnosis, just so that the out-of-control conspiracy theories could be laid to rest

The controversy about Kate Middleton’s whereabouts magnified after the Palace released this doctored picture.

Brunch

Updated on Mar 29, 2024 04:02 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Luxe is what you make of it

For some, it’s fashion, for some it’s travel. But it’s usually the little things that go unnoticed that are the most luxurious

People, mostly men, may be surprised at how expensive skincare truly is. But, as the adage goes, it’s worth it. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Mar 22, 2024 04:07 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Weekend do what we want

Let go of routine and forget about chores. Sundays are to do as you please, even if all you want to do is nothing at all

I would rather put in extra hours during the week to finish chores so that I have Sunday as a day to do nothing. (Shutterstock)

Brunch

Updated on Mar 15, 2024 04:28 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: A filter for the strain

Everybody’s stressed. Few manage it well. Skip the boring advice, ditch what the IG gurus say and do what works for you

If you’re feeling burnt out, there’s nothing better than spending some time in nature. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Mar 08, 2024 03:41 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: The trips you can taste

Some foods are worth travelling for. Some taste best with a side portion of nostalgia. Some are impossible to detach from the city that made them famous. Dig in

Each city has food that you just won’t find anywhere else. Like puchka in Kolkata. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Mar 01, 2024 03:11 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: It’s a blooming miracle

The birds are singing, the flowers are flowering and this spring season is giving rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal

Spring marks the time for winter feet to undergo the rigours of a pedicure after months spent encased in boots. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Feb 23, 2024 05:16 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Sailing the rough C

Someone else’s disease and misfortune shouldn’t bring out the voyeur in you. Offer support and find ways to be of actual help

When King Charles’s cancer diagnosis hit the news, people began asking intrusive, thoughtless questions. (Shutterstock)

Brunch

Updated on Feb 16, 2024 03:57 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Jaipur is part of the plot

The Jaipur Literature Festival celebrates books, authors, publishing and stories. But there’s music, parties and fun too

Mary Beard, Bonnie Garmus and Peter Frankopan were among the speakers this year. (HT Archives)

Brunch

Updated on Feb 09, 2024 05:37 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Vacation or guilt trip?

Travel may be the best stress buster. And yet, for some, the journey between home and the airport is surprisingly stressful

Travel anxiety is real. The trick is to be mindful and distract yourself. (Shutterstock)

Brunch

Updated on Feb 02, 2024 04:15 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Next thing on the list

Turns out, making a list and checking it twice is quite satisfying. Put pen to paper or type it out, but get those tasks done

I have four master-lists for packing when I travel. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Jan 26, 2024 03:55 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: See and be scene

Is it a mad, mad world? Today, strangers’ personalities and quirks are on full display for anyone who cares to watch

People are now much less inhibited about posing for photos and taking selfies in public. (Adobe Stock)

Brunch

Updated on Jan 19, 2024 04:24 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Take the middle road

If you grew up middle class, some habits are hard to shake. Some you don’t notice. Some you’ll probably treasure forever

Shows such as Gullak do a good job of portraying middle-class families and their struggles.

Brunch

Updated on Jan 12, 2024 03:27 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Hitting the high notes

From flavourful grocery store sandwiches to surprisingly good movies, 2023 had a lot of unexpectedly stellar hits

Morocco has everything, from seaside towns to modern cities. (Adobe stock)

Brunch

Updated on Jan 05, 2024 06:17 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Peeking at tomorrow

Less scrolling, more reading. Shopping less, getting stronger. A 2024 wishlist so legit, it’s giving us all New-Year goals

Fitness is always a good goal. Try a mix of Pilates and resistance training for more flexibility. (Shutterstock)

Brunch

Updated on Dec 29, 2023 03:44 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Walking in a winter wonderland

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. In Kolkata, however, it’s a celebration for the whole city, regardless of religion

Christmas in Calcutta is marked by fireworks and the bright lights of Park Street. (Shutterstock)

Brunch

Updated on Dec 22, 2023 06:35 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Hilltop holiday? Beach, please

Dreams change and so can your dream escape. Don’t choose between mountains or beaches. Get there and enjoy yourself

Heading to the mountains means driving up meandering roads, taking in the beautiful views, and sipping hot chocolate by a bonfire. (Shutterstock)

Brunch

Updated on Dec 15, 2023 04:16 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

Spectator by Seema Goswami: Once upon a dine

Some authors offer readers a seat at the table with how they write about food. They make it an integral part of their stories, and flavour our lives

Enid Blyton’s stories always had many descriptions of food, from picnic lunches to midnight feasts .

Brunch

Updated on Dec 08, 2023 04:05 PM IST

BySeema Goswami

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Seema Goswami

Why do Indians, at home and abroad, treat household staff so terribly? We want the best deals from our employers, how about passing it on to our help too?

Why were we all so eager to rush into adulthood? Growing up means an endless loop of responsibilities and chores. And wishing we were young again

Movies make travelling light seem effortless. But with a little adjustment, you can learn to let go of stuff you don’t need

Some guests take their welcome much too seriously, don’t think twice about being disrespectful, and are wholly unbearable. Here’s how to identify them

Travelling gets better as you grow older. But less pressure and more funds bring with them aching bones and low energy. Here’s how to cope

Indians and Italians have quite a lot in common. From food to family to identity, the similarities are striking

There was a time when Egypt or Lagos were considered lawless lands. Now one has to be on guard in London and Paris

There’s not a seed of doubt: Plants and flowers teach us perseverance, patience and resilience. They may also be the key to leaving behind a legacy that lasts

Eat, pray, love, pose for a photo. Holidays are less about living in the moment and more about documenting it to show off online. Why not make memories instead?

Logging out and heading on vacation? Load up the Kindle with these new books. They’re perfect by the beach or hillside

Moving house is bittersweet. There’s tons of decluttering to get through, to make room for new memories. Here are my tips

Is it necessary to hustle for that muscle on a holiday? Why not stay active by exploring the town you’re in instead?

Parents and grandparents have realised that they don’t owe their children cushy lives, nor do they have to save every penny for them. After all, YOLO

After weeks of speculation, the Princess of Wales was forced to reveal her diagnosis, just so that the out-of-control conspiracy theories could be laid to rest

For some, it’s fashion, for some it’s travel. But it’s usually the little things that go unnoticed that are the most luxurious

Let go of routine and forget about chores. Sundays are to do as you please, even if all you want to do is nothing at all

Everybody’s stressed. Few manage it well. Skip the boring advice, ditch what the IG gurus say and do what works for you

Some foods are worth travelling for. Some taste best with a side portion of nostalgia. Some are impossible to detach from the city that made them famous. Dig in

The birds are singing, the flowers are flowering and this spring season is giving rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal

Someone else’s disease and misfortune shouldn’t bring out the voyeur in you. Offer support and find ways to be of actual help

The Jaipur Literature Festival celebrates books, authors, publishing and stories. But there’s music, parties and fun too

Travel may be the best stress buster. And yet, for some, the journey between home and the airport is surprisingly stressful

Turns out, making a list and checking it twice is quite satisfying. Put pen to paper or type it out, but get those tasks done

Is it a mad, mad world? Today, strangers’ personalities and quirks are on full display for anyone who cares to watch

If you grew up middle class, some habits are hard to shake. Some you don’t notice. Some you’ll probably treasure forever

From flavourful grocery store sandwiches to surprisingly good movies, 2023 had a lot of unexpectedly stellar hits

Less scrolling, more reading. Shopping less, getting stronger. A 2024 wishlist so legit, it’s giving us all New-Year goals

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. In Kolkata, however, it’s a celebration for the whole city, regardless of religion

Dreams change and so can your dream escape. Don’t choose between mountains or beaches. Get there and enjoy yourself

Some authors offer readers a seat at the table with how they write about food. They make it an integral part of their stories, and flavour our lives

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