Being a foreigner seems to get you a fair bit of status here. By definition, they know you are much much richer than they are. Even if you don't flaunt your wealth like the rich Indians do, the colour of your skin is all thats required. Probably hollywood imagary of Americans also goes a long way to forming their opinions. I'm also not sure how much of it is a hangover from colonial rule. The more educated ones aren't as succeptable to white-man worship but you still get a huge amount of respect.
We are meant to show ID at our work vehicle entrance and I dont have a photo ID but when we drive in: white-man with a laptop sitting in the backseat, they don't challenge you. They *WILL* do so however for any Indian, even if he is being driven in like us. In stores where they ask bags to be checked in before entering, they never challenge white folk either. You can walk pretty much wherever you want and there is a reluctance to apply the rules to you. The poor ones sometimes call you 'boss' too. I wont get used to that.
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Its the caste system - everyone is supposed to know their own level and be respectful to those above.
white => foreigner => money => higher caste
That would be why the more educated ones are less respectful - they're used to being on the receiving end of respect, not the giving-end.
exactly
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