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?

The Deadly Online Trend That Claimed an Innocent Life

Youngsters frequently lack awareness of the dangerous outcomes that can result from heedlessly adopting trends they come across online. Sadly, Tommie-Lee Billington, an innocent 11-year-old kid, lost his life as a result of this ignorance. His bereaved family is now alerting people to the risks that can be found on social media.

An image of an 11-year-old boy

Tommie met a risky challenge on TikTok at a stay at a friend’s house, which led to the tragic event. To reach a high in this specific task, you had to inhale hazardous gasses or solvents. Tommie’s heart stopped abruptly, which was shocking and led to his untimely death.

This tragic loss is not an uncommon occurrence. In addition, two teenage girls perished while taking part in the same risky TikTok “challenge.” To safeguard our kids, we must raise awareness of this potentially fatal tendency and take appropriate action.

Sherry, Tommie’s mother, has resorted to social media to encourage parents to talk openly with their kids and stop them from acting riskily on TikTok. She shares on Facebook, “This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing,” in an emotional post. Please discuss the repercussions of this with your kids. I don’t see why someone would even attempt this! It’s really risky!

Sherry goes on to convey her pain and her determination to honor her son’s legacy by spreading awareness and preventing other kids from suffering the same terrible destiny. Let’s band together to help Tommie’s family through this awful period of loss and make sure that no other youngster is harmed by this dangerous trend.

Peace be with you, Tommie. We are so sorry for your family. Let’s now work together to promote this very essential message to ensure that no child dies needlessly.

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