10 Cultural Tips You Need to Be Aware of Before Traveling to India

There are some traditions that have not gotten lost in time and are still respected. Every country and culture is different from one another, and India is a great example of this. People behave, eat, and even dress differently. They have their own traditions and customs, and as tourists, these need to be honored. And this is exactly what we’d like to bring forth in this article.

We at Bright Side have been mesmerized by the uniqueness of Indian culture, so we’d like to share with you a few useful tips to make the most out of your trip.

1. You must not touch books or instruments with your feet.

In India, children are taught from a young age that books are knowledge. They even have a Goddess of Learning, Saraswati. Therefore, touching books with one’s feet or even kicking a school bag full of notebooks or books is considered disrespectful.

Any instrument that is used to develop one’s knowledge is also considered very important and must not be touched by the feet. Even pens and pencils are important, according to Indian culture, and must be respected as such.

2. Don’t be afraid to explore Indian street food.

Exploring foreign cuisine is generally very important when visiting other countries, and sometimes the best food around is the kind made at that small corner vendor. And Indian food is no exception, as it’s one of the richest cuisines out there. It’s a must-try for sure. Just watch out for that extra-spicy food!

As with any street food experience, you must be careful. Seek fresh food, avoid milk products as they can sometimes be spoiled, avoid ice or water that was not heated well (definitely try to avoid tap water), and generally look forward to trying clean (and busy) vendors.

3. Don’t be too polite.

Saying “please” and “thank you” is normal and respectful for us, like at a restaurant or a shop. However, in India, when used too much, you can come across as rude or impolite. Who would’ve thought, right?

When it comes to friends and family, traditional ways of showing appreciation can sometimes create tension or express a level of formality that should not exist. Instead of saying “thank you,” you can try saying “I appreciate it.”

4. Only use your right hand when giving or taking anything.

Many cultures have actually adopted this practice. In many cultures, the right hand is considered pure and even lucky! In India, it is believed that the left hand is impure, as it is used for cleaning shoes, feet, and generally dirty work. So when it comes to food, drinks, and handing objects to other people, we must always use the right hand to show respect.

5. Do not point your finger.

Usually, we use our pointer finger to give directions at a restaurant or generally when referring to something in particular. But this is definitely not the case in India.

Pointing your finger at an object or place is considered rude and impolite. If you wish to give directions or point out something to someone, you must do so by using your whole palm or your thumb. This way, it’s more gentle and polite.

6. Expect to use cash only.

If you’re visiting a small town in India, you should expect to pay with cash most of the time. While in the bigger cities, malls, restaurants, and shops, credit or debit cards may be accepted, they are still rare, and the smaller cities make use of cash. So it would be smart to keep some cash with you, just in case.

7. Not everyone is going to speak English.

Of course, you might be lucky enough to be able to use English inside bigger cities, restaurants, hotels, or certain shops, however, this is not the case for smaller villages. Here, you should expect people to use their native language, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Spending time among foreign people and hearing their native language might actually do you some good. You can pick up a new language, getting to know a new culture.

8. Learn about and use traditional greetings.

Respect is required everywhere you go in the world, and India is no exception. You can show your respect for the country and its people by learning about their culture and traditional greetings. One such greeting that is used in a general manner is “namaste.” You can put your palms together and bow to show respect while saying namaste, or, if you’d like to be more formal, you can use “namaskar.”

As English has become more globalized, “hello’’ is also used, especially among tourists and foreigners. Just know that “goodbye” is usually not used, as it implies you won’t be seeing each other anymore, or that you are asking for permission to leave.

9. Don’t use public displays of affection.

Public display of affection is generally looked down upon as it is quite a private thing. However, in India, you must not show affection in public. When you visit a new or foreign country, you might want to blend in with other people so as to not get unwanted stares. This is one of those things you must do.

Try and avoid holding hands or using overly affectionate gestures in public, as it is frowned upon. You can even spend time in jail!

10. Know that in small towns, you must wear decent clothes.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when coming to India is the way you present yourself. As a quite conservative country, it’s good to respect its culture and people, and you can start with your clothes. Even if it’s hot outside, try and cover yourself. This way, you can pay your respects to the country, and also make yourself look like a local.

If you’re visiting a particular attraction, it’s important to wrap a scarf around your head to show respect and politeness.

Have you ever traveled to India? Which aspect of Indian culture intrigues you the most?

I Saw My Fiancé Proposing to Another Woman in Front of His Family

I Saw My Fiancé Proposing to Another Woman in Front of His Family

Imagine walking into a surprise that flips your world: your fiancé, on his knee, but not for you. Worst of all, the ring was an identical copy of yours. That happened to me, but here’s the thing: I don’t take betrayal lying down.

I’m Jessica, and I was living what I thought was a love story for the ages with Jack, my fiancé. The idea of a whirlwind romance is only really great in movies, where you don’t know what happens after the credits roll.

I was naive and thought Jack was the one. He proposed to me just six months into our relationship at my favorite restaurant. We even got applause from other people. I gushed about it to my friends, being a little braggy about it, and I believed all his promises. Our connection felt destined. Life, however, had its own plans.

Man putting a ring on a woman's finger. | Source: Unsplash

Man putting a ring on a woman’s finger. | Source: Unsplash

I got an opportunity at work. It was just a six-month contract, but in another city four hours away. Jack and I made a plan to see each other once a month if the plane costs weren’t so high. That first month, he came to visit me, and we had a fantastic time, getting to know a new city together.

The second month, I went back, visited my family, and started wedding planning. We picked a date! It was supposed to be two months after my contract ended. After that, I got too busy. Jack did, too, at his job, or so I thought.

We didn’t see each other for an entire month. So, on a whim, I decided to surprise him. I flew back without telling him and headed straight to that same restaurant where this all began. I didn’t know if I wanted to plan a special dinner, but the staff knew me and would help.

The problem is that I didn’t expect to find Jack already there. And even worse, I saw him proposing to another woman at the very table where he had asked me to marry him. My jaw was on the floor the entire time, and for a second, I thought I was reliving my memory.

Woman with mouth wide open. | Source: Unsplash

Woman with mouth wide open. | Source: Unsplash

People around them clapped. I think the woman had brought her family. Jack stood after putting the ring on his new fiancée and must have sensed something because he turned and saw me. His lips thinned, and I knew this was no mistake or misunderstanding.

I wanted to scream and shout and call him every name in the book. But nothing came out, and then, he said something to the other woman and rushed to me, determined.

“Let me go,” I seethed when he grabbed my arm, but he dragged me outside.

“Jessica, listen to me!”

Man wiht angry face, pointing his finger at his head. | Source: Unsplash

Man wiht angry face, pointing his finger at his head. | Source: Unsplash

“I WON’T LISTEN TO ANYTHING, YOU SCUMBAG!”

“Don’t scream!” he snapped, staring daggers at my face. “This is for us!”

“What?” I asked, outraged.

“I’m only marrying Monica for her money. I’ll divorce her as soon as I can, and you and I will be able to retire early,” Jack said.

Was his explanation supposed to sway me? What the hell was he thinking? I didn’t say a word. He kept talking about meeting Monica a while ago and why this was a good idea. Spoiler: it wasn’t!

Moreover, all my love for him had vanished the second I saw him on his knee for someone else. In fact, as he kept talking, I started to think. I could walk away right now, and he would be happy, tricking this woman into marriage for her money.

Woman smirking. | Source: Unsplash

Woman smirking. | Source: Unsplash

I didn’t have to let that happen. My face broke into a smile, and Jack grinned, too.

“I see you understand now,” he gushed. “So, you agree to keep this secret? We’d have to move our wedding date, but still…”

“Fine,” I said, nodding.

He asked me to leave, and I agreed. But when he wasn’t looking, I ran and hid in the restaurant bathroom. I knew Monica would have to come in.

When she walked in, I took a deep breath and told her everything. I showed her pictures of Jack and me, the texts, and, most damning of all, my engagement ring—which was identical to hers. Her mouth dropped just like mine.

Woman taking off a diamond ring. | Source: Shutterstock

Woman taking off a diamond ring. | Source: Shutterstock

I also told her why Jack was doing this and my plan. Monica was a gem. We walked together back to the dining area, and I had the pleasure of seeing Jack’s face go pale.

Almost as if we had planned it, Monica and I removed our rings and threw them at his face. The room went quiet, but soon, it was filled with our story. We told everyone what Jack had done to us and his scheme.

When we were done, Monica hugged me and went to her family. I walked away from the restaurant, with the entire staff watching in shock…and admiration. Telling my family wasn’t fun, and dealing with the aftermath was annoying.

But I had to look on the bright side: I hadn’t married that scumbag.

Woman walking through nature. | Source: Unsplash

Woman walking through nature. | Source: Unsplash

Have you ever gotten back at someone who betrayed you?

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