India is not an easy travel destination for the first time tourist. Deep rooted customs still play an important part in daily life. Add in an unending list of misconceptions and you could be as confused about what to expect as I was stepping off the plane for my first trip years ago. Arrive with a starting knowledge with this list of the Top 10 Basic India Travel Tips:
10. An India Visa is Required for Entry Into the Country
Foreign tourists (with the exception of 11 countries) are required to obtain an India Visa prior to arrival in India. The application process and cost associated varies by country. Beginning in 2010, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs began issuing Tourist Visas on Arrival (TVOA) at 4 of India’s largest International airports. The program has been expanded twice and now includes the following 11 countries as of January 25, 2011:
Cambodia, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam
How to Apply For an India Visa: USA, UK, AU, CA, FR, CN, JP
9. English is Widely Spoken
No reason to scramble learning a new language. English is the unofficial official language of India. Road signs, menus, advertising, tickets and more, are a few examples of where English script is used to communicate with an expanding audience of speakers. It’s a rare day that travelers are caught unable to speak in English with most people they come in contact with.
Keep in mind there are numerous regional languages and dialects spoken throughout India. These languages are recognized as official state languages. A different script is commonly seen on signage in conjunction with English. In South India, where state borders intersect up to 3 languages, signs written in all 3 languages help direct travelers both local and foreign.
Indian English has its own distinct sound which has been mocked ad naseum in TV, radio and movies. Don’t show amusement at the different Indian accents and choice of words. Many Indians have learned English by watching TV or working with foreigners. Their interaction with you is a chance to improve broken English skills. You’ll also find many Indians speak and write better English than many native English speakers. If you must coach an Indian with their English, buffer the exchange by asking for help with your Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, etc.
The Major Languages Spoken in India
8. India is Not Always Hot
Temperatures can reach 135º in parts of India during the hottest summer months. That doesn’t factor in the high humidity felt in South India. India tourist season coincides with winter. As the cooler temps sweep the country beginning in late September and extending through late March, travelers diverge on the Asian sub-continent. Yet even during the warmest months of the year there are hill station escapes which provide not just a relaxing atmosphere, they also give way to breathtaking scenery, fantastic mountain vistas, and a culture all in themselves.
When is The Best Time to Visit India?
7. Body Language, Body Language, Body Language
The body language you project plays a pivotal point in how you are treated in India. And when I speak of body language, this includes the way you carry yourself, your manners and the social etiquette exuded with personal contacts. Pointing fingers at people can show a sign of annoyance. Hands on your hips can be seen as a sign of aggression. And inadvertently pointing your feet at someone can be misconstrued as an insult.
Women typically do not extend a hand shake so it’s best to greet women with a simple hello or Namaste. The notorious Indian head wobble, a silent way of communicating numerous different feelings among Indians, brings much humor to first time visitors. Refrain from mocking or joking behavior at the expense of this action. While it’s impossible to mention all the cultural sensitivities of India, do be observant of locals and their interactions with one another.
6. Cutlery is Provided but Toilet Paper is Not?
You’ve probably heard Indians eat with their hands. Wait, only the right hand. The left hand is used to clean themselves after using the facilities. Times are-a-changing my friends. Worries about whether to pack a spare set of cutlery for a tour of India are unnecessary. And while this traditional custom of only eating with the right hand is true, as well as extending only with the right hand for greetings, the chances of tourists eating off banana leaves with their hands are low. That is unless you purposely ask for it.
The lack of finding toilet paper, is however, a very common problem for budget travelers of India. Five star accommodations cater to the western clientele with all the usual toiletries. Hostels and budget hotels can give newly arrived guests a bit of a surprise. Pack a spare roll of toilet paper to avoid any uncomfortable situations. You’ll soon get comfortable with either: A. Locating toilet paper in the market for sale, or B. Knowing which hotels provide it, or C. Get accustomed to using the Indian toilet.
5. Get Your Camera Out of My Face!
Concerns about privacy rules have increased dramatically in the western world as CCTV cameras have flooded our cities. Explanations of increased anti-terrorism safety measures are provided as the rationale for what has become a 24/7 reality TV show of our lives. Citizens argue it violates their freedoms. They show disdain when viewing themselves on the monitors of local stores. And then these same people travel to India and shove a camera into the faces of it’s population exclaiming, “smile!”
If you want to photograph a specific person, ask their permission. A nod of the head means yes, a wave of the hand means no. Most pictures will involve very stern, stiff looking expressions. Indians find smiles to be a show of weakness, at least among the older generations. Prods for smiles and laughter are met with uncomfortable stares, shrugs and sometimes a change of permission to take a photo. As a male I try to avoid asking a single female for her picture unless she has a male companion or group of friends around her. I will then ask for all of their photos together or separately. And I always show the photo to them afterward as I smile and thank the person.
4. Don’t Invade My Personal Space
Leave your idea of personal space at home. India can be crowded at popular tourist spots, restaurants and of course, the airport. You’ll be bumped as you wait to buy tickets. You’ll be bumped as you stand on the bus. You’ll be bumped walking through the local markets. See a pattern? India can be full of people moving toward the same destination.
Guide books will advise this is a sign of pickpocketing or eve teasing (women). Ok, yes, there is a slim chance this is true. More likely? You’re in a busy place. Forget the invisible wall around your body as it doesn’t exist in India. Saying “excuse me” and “watch out” or “don’t cut” will be met with mixed results. Watch what the locals do so you can blend in.
3. Pot Isn’t Legal
It just isn’t. Increased surveillance around the Kullu Valley in North India has resulted in numerous arrests of foreign nationals in recent years. Talk of cheap drugs attached with misconceptions of India’s laws regarding drugs, specifically marijuana, attracts a high number of tourists to Manali and Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh. Know the facts before being locked up abroad.
2. Would You Wear That to Church?
Always error on the side of modesty when visiting religious sites in India. To be clear, this means long pants or skirts for women, no exposed arms or deep neck plunging shirts, no bare mid-riffs. A simple button down or pull over, long sleeve shirt works best. For men, no shorts. A t-shirt is OK paired with long pants. Always remember to remove shoes or any footwear before entering a religious site. Socks can be worn.
Hindu temples are open to anyone free of charge. Sikh gurudwara are free to anyone but one must cover their head with a cloth. Jain temples are open to anyone, usually for a small fee, and you must remove any leather objects prior to entry.
1. Indians Are Not Hindi’s and They Don’t Speak Hindu
Although they sound similar, the two terms are quite different in their meaning. Hindi is the official language of India spoken by nearly 500 million people. Hindi is also closely related to Urdu, the main language of Pakistan, India’s neighbor to the West. Hindu refers to a follower of Hinduism. Hinduism has grown to become the world’s third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. It claims about 950 million followers or roughly 14% of the world’s population.
Indians are not exclusively Hindu and don’t speak exclusively in Hindi. There are several religions within India, most notably Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity. More than 100 different languages are spoken throughout India in addition to thousands of dialects. It’s OK to ask about a person’s religious beliefs while refraining from religious debate.
