Asia: India

Vousavec
Los Angeles

A rumor about this place

When I was in Japan, staying in a hostel, one of my roomates one night was an Austrailian girl that was traveling with friends all over the world. She had just spent 6 weeks in India, where she said the people treat women, especially white women, very badly. (As in they will spit at you and make your trip difficult) Granted, she was extremely fair-skinned and naturally bright blonde, and she spoke her mind no matter what it was. She said it was a wonderful place, nonetheless, but she was happy to be somewhere not as sandy for a change. I would love to visit India, but I don’t want to cause a scene anywhere just by showing up… I like to blend when I travel – I don’t want to be a tourist, I want to be a well-seasoned traveler. I guess I’ll have to research more. But this hasn’t been the only time I heard that women aren’t treated well there. Any thoughts?

Comments:

Rahulsverghese
0 places

Hi
Just read your entry – I live in India. Not the best place for a woman to travel alone but spitting etc – never heard of that!
Travel outside of the cities can be very basic
But there’s a lot of diversity. Come experience the chaos of life that is India. I am sure you’ll enjoy the adventure
Rahul

Vousavec
Los Angeles

Thanks Rahul!

Ah, yes, that makes me feel better about the spitting, then. I would probably be traveling with another person, a male, but I was just worried becaue of what that girl had told me. I have always been fascinated with India and I hope to be able to visit soon. :) Thanks so much for your input!

(This comment was deleted.)

May 18, 2006, 11:23PM PDT

Vousavec
Los Angeles

Thank you, too!

Awesome – thanks!

Then another question.

What makes it difficult (in your eyes)? Looks, stares?

(This comment was deleted.)

May 29, 2006, 05:28PM PDT

Vousavec
Los Angeles

Great!

ahh… she seemed like the spaghetti strap tank top and shorts girl, but she seemed polite (though she spoke her mind) – I can see both sides now. Wow, I’m excited – I really want to visit India!!

sseale
Austin

No spitting - don't miss the chance to go!

I am a woman, also Western with very fair skin, blond hair, blue eyes and tall. I have been to India twice, and lots of different types of places. The last time I went two months ago was with my 16 year old daughter – the two of us traveling alone, to cities such as Delhi and Agra as well as very small rural areas. We had no problem!

I have NEVER been treated poorly, by men or otherwise, much less been spit at! I can’t imagine that ever happening in India, to be honest. I wonder if your friend was rude or one of those “everything should be like home and everyone should act like they do at home” – the way you say she spoke her mind. Like any place with vastly different cultures, visitors need to be mindful and respectful of the culture. But one of the reasons I love India so much is the people – they are quite simply the most warm, friendly, wonderful and gracious people I’ve met anywhere! We had people show us the way places, entire Indian families make room for us and share their meals on the trains, etc. People are so wonderful there.

Yes, as a westerner you will get stared at. You have to expect that. But it is not rude, it is a curiosity and fascination thing. As a 5’8” blonde woman I was stared at most everywhere I went! But people would come up and ask “what country?” and then be like “USA! Great, I love it!” and would ask to take pictures with us. They are just very, very curious about us. But friendly and I would highly recommend going. If myself and my daughter can travel around all by ourselves, anyone can. Don’t miss Udaipur!!!

Vousavec
Los Angeles

That's cool -

I really appreciate your input! Yes, I like to be mindful of other cultures, because it makes for the best experience! I just met that girl for 1 day, when she was staying at the hostel – but her stories of India – she just mentioned the treatment, but went on to say wonderful things about the whole experience; she made me want to visit, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I can deal with what you said – the curiosity actually sounds like a great way to meet people!

I’m so glad you and your daughter had such a great time – I’ll make sure that I will visit Udaipur when I finally go!

Thanks so much!!!

Vousavec
Los Angeles

Thanks Everyone!

I just wanted to thank everyone again and also say that I hope I haven’t offended anyone by asking the questions I asked about this country – I really do want to visit India and everyones’ responses were filled with a lot of information, which makes my desire to visit this country grow even more.

I’m glad that 43 places exists and that people (like me) that may be uneducated about certain areas can openly ask about rumors and other concerns and get so much feedback!! So, thanks everyone, and if you have any more info about this place, please let me know. :)

k.


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