Shopping in Mumbai

Transnational sociability from the Netherlands

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4263152
AutoresR Gowricharn (0000-0001-5565-9134, Tilburg University Warandelaan 2 5037 AB Tilburg Netherlands, autor correspondente)
Ano2017
Volume17
Fascículo3
Páginas349-365
Data de publicação2017-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoGlobal Networks (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1470-2266 • E-ISSN: 1471-0374
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/glob.12140
OpenAlexW2508444496
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas5
Referências citadas48

In this article, I present the concept of sociability as a preferable alternative to current network theories. I apply Simmel's concept of sociability to the bonding that occurs among ethnic networks at both the community and global levels. I argue for the need to separate the sociability elements of enjoyment and pleasure in time and place. I focus on the diaspora tourism of Dutch Hindustanis to show that joy and pleasure occur both when shopping in India and when giving gifts in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I argue that gifts purchased in India create bonding within close ethnic circles. As a result, these gifts become part of the material culture of the group, contributing to a feeling of home, ethnic consciousness and transnational bonds. Finally, I suggest that this joy and pleasure can be repeated because many of these moments are recorded with video cameras and photographs. Through this analysis, I demonstrate that transnational sociability, exemplified in diaspora tourism (specifically in shopping and gift giving), generates bonding both at the ethnic group and global level. I thus aim to add specificity to studies of transnational ethnic networks

Aesthetics · Art · Consciousness · Diaspora · Ethnic group · Feeling · Pleasure · Political science · Sociology · Tourism · Anthropology · Culinary Culture and Tourism · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Gender Studies · Law · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy · Psychology · Social Psychology