Taboos for Travelers in India

BENGALURU: For all hobo and wanderlust beings, India has always been a figure of deep and heavy resonance. The food, the smell, the sights, everything is a delightful stun to your body, mind, soul and spirit. Only very few countries have such a lasting impression on a traveler as India does. With such mystifying spots, vibrant hues, and deep culture established on layers of history, there is perhaps no other country on this planet that could quench your lust for adventure.

Everyone talks about visiting India and inventory the things to do in the country but no one talks about things that you are not supposed to do in this culturally rooted country. There are plenty of slips that people often do that lead to waste of time, money and cause disappointments. To make sure that you have a wonderful experience, here are a few conventions to abide by when you travel in India.

Eating at Right Places

Avoid eating near any major tourist site or attractions because it’s going to be sort of a rip-off as the prices are going to be double and the flavors and tastes might be half of what you can find in other places. These restaurants have figured that the tourists are not going to be back for a while so they don’t worry about consistent quality or taste. Ask the locals about the places they visit for a good meal as these places maintain high quality or else locals will stop visiting these places.

Be Cautious With the PDA

Watching beautiful monuments and buildings built on the very fundamentals of love and romance, or watching the sea by the beach or the crashing waves by the pavements of Marine drive might tempt you to indulge in some love making. But think twice or even thrice before PDA, since locals in India are very conservative. Let alone the land of Kamasutra, because Indians are not very liberal when it comes to more than just a peck and public display of affection.

Keep Your legs under Control

The very roots of Indian culture talk about the human head which is considered as a superior part of the body and the feet as the inferior part (not precisely since touching elderly people’s feet is a sign of respect). If you are in India, then it is advised that don’t use your feet to push things around, or don’t point your feet to anyone and specially don’t even think about touching books with your feet. Such actions are considered extremely uncivilized, rude and impolite. If you happen to enter any religious places like temples or even few churches, remember to remove your footwear.

Apparel and dressing etiquettes

Customs over comfort, that’s one important rule followed by conservative and traditional India. Majority of Indians tend to dress very conservatively and if you wish to be treated in a pleasant manner, do the same, especially in rural areas. It will be appreciated if you avoid wearing tight or revealing clothing particularly when you visit places of religious significance. Indian metro cities are much tolerant with regard to western clothing.

Use Your Left Hand Carefully

The left hand in India is considered ‘not clean’ (Indians don’t use toilet papers like the western part of the world; instead they use their left hand to clean after visiting a lavatory, this can be considered as one of the reasons). Indians never eat or pass or receive anything with their left hand. If you happen to visit a religious place then remember to extend your right arm while receiving any offered alms or Prasad.

Men Holding Hands Aren’t Gay

India is a very homophobic society since homosexuality is a taboo and registered under section 377 of the Penal Indian Code as a criminal act. Even if you see two men holding hands in public, do not assume their sexual orientation since it a sign of their friendship. If you assume that they are gay, then you might offend them.

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