మగని చుట్టాలు చెప్పులు ముంగిట విడిస్తే, ఆలి చుట్టాలు అపరమటింట్లో విడుస్తారు.

magani chuttalu cheppulu mungita vidiste, ali chuttalu aparamatintlo vidustaru.

Translation

If the husband's relatives leave their footwear at the front door, the wife's relatives leave them in the inner private room.

Meaning

This proverb highlights favoritism or double standards in how guests are treated within a household. It suggests that while a husband's relatives might be kept at a distance or follow formal etiquette, the wife's relatives often enjoy more intimacy, comfort, or privilege in the home. It is used to mock or point out partiality in hospitality.

Related Phrases

Is he a blood relation, or a dinner relation ?

This proverb is used to question the nature of a relationship. It asks whether a person is a genuine blood relative (pegu chuttam) who cares out of love, or a 'fair-weather friend' (pettu chuttam) who is only around for financial gain, gifts, or personal benefit. It is often used when someone shows sudden interest in a person's life only when they become wealthy or influential.

A table friend is changeable. (French.)‡ * Vache de loin a lait asses. † Geluk en glas brekt even ras. ‡ Ami de table est variable.

If the pestle slips, guests will arrive.

This is a traditional Telugu superstition or folk belief. It suggests that if a pestle (rokali) accidentally falls or slips while someone is using it for pounding, it is a predictive sign that guests or relatives are about to visit the house. It is often used playfully when unexpected guests show up or when someone is clumsy with kitchen tools.

If you give up the core/original, there is no more trouble.

This proverb suggests that if one abandons the root cause of an attachment, desire, or investment, the associated anxieties and troubles disappear. It is often used to describe a situation where letting go of the primary asset or ego brings immediate peace of mind.

If one leaves his wife, he becomes a Haridasu; if he leaves family life, he becomes a Sanyasi.

This expression highlights how changes in social status or spiritual identity are often defined by what a person renounces. It describes the traditional path of detachment, where giving up personal attachments or worldly responsibilities leads to a different way of life, such as that of a wandering minstrel or a monk.

If one sheds shame, they reach Srirangam; if they shed everything, they end up with a bald head.

This proverb describes the stages of detachment or shamelessness. In a spiritual context, it suggests that giving up worldly ego (shame) leads to a sacred state (Srirangam). In a worldly context, it is often used sarcastically to mean that once a person loses their sense of shame or social inhibitions, they can go to any extent, eventually losing their dignity entirely (symbolized by the shaved head of an ascetic or a social outcast).

When told that circumambulations result in children, she checked her belly after every single round

This proverb mocks extreme impatience or the expectation of immediate results for a long-term process. It describes a person who expects an instant reward the moment they start a task, failing to understand that certain goals require time, patience, and consistent effort.

Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.

This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.

Listening to gossip leads to ruin.

This proverb warns that paying attention to hearsay, rumors, or others' manipulative talk without verifying the facts will eventually lead to harm or disaster. It is used to advise someone to be wary of people who try to influence them with gossip.

If you visit them they are relatives, if you invite them to visit you they are angry.

This proverb describes people who claim to be close relatives or friends but avoid any real interaction, responsibility, or visit. It is used to mock hypocritical relationships where people maintain a facade of closeness but become annoyed when actually asked to participate or visit.

* Kleine Feinde und kleine Wunden sind nicht zu verachten. 21 ( 161 )

A relative in words, but not a relative at mealtime.

This expression describes people who offer verbal sympathy or make grand promises but disappear when actual help or hospitality (like providing a meal) is required. It refers to someone who is friendly only on the surface and avoids the responsibility of true friendship or kinship.