India is a mix of Western Culture and old Indian traditions. While women travelers would find metro cities more comfortable due to Western impact, traveling through small towns and holy cities is completely different experience. These areas are more conservative towards women and what may be a common practice in the West could be seen as very offensive in these towns. Conservative views is not the only challenge India throws towards women travelers, safety is also a big issue. Women travelers are easily the subject of Eve Teasing which is local term for unwanted sexual advances by the men. To make things easy Here are some important tips for Women travelers in India.
Never Travel Alone - If possible always travel with a male companion or in group. This ensures safety for women travelers. In case you are traveling alone, do not stay at cheap hostel or budget lodge. They provide less security, opt for at least Mid Range hotel. Also do not travel at night. No matter which city you are traveling, avoid late night parties. Get back to the hotel before dark. Never take lift from strangers.
Dressing - Western Dresses are very common in India. You will find Indian women wearing revealing dresses despite that but you should restrain from wearing such dresses as they bring unnecessary attention from men and increases the chances of eve teasing. Wearing traditional Indian dresses like Salwar kameez or Sari would not only be more comfortable but will be much appreciated by the people. If Indian dresses is too much to ask from you, try to keep your arms and legs covered. Do not walk on the streets wearing bikini. Keep it just to the beach.
Public Behavior - Holding hands while walking on the streets or public kiss may be common in West but not in India. Refrain yourself from any such act which is not acceptable in Indian society.
How to Greet - Shaking hands is also very common in India but greeting in traditional Indian way would be seen by locals as a sign of respect towards Indian culture. Remember, shaking hands is common in metro cities for women but not in small town. Don't shake hand unless the other person extends his or her hand. Simply bring your palms together in front of your chest and say Namaste. Simple Hi or Hello would also suffice.
Interaction - Don't be too friendly while interacting with men. They will see it as a sign for sexual advance. If you need directions or just want to chat, opt for women instead of men. They are more fun to talk.
Smoking - Don't drink or smoke in public. Its illegal to start with and despite others around you may be smoking, women tourists should avoid that. Women smoking or drinking alcohol is not seen with respect in India. Women who smokes is considered to be person with loose moral character. This leads to more advances by the men. If you want to smoke, do it in hotel room.
Entering Temples/Mosques - While traveling to India, you may want to visit a temple. In such case dress appropriately. Cover your arms, shoulders and legs. Some tourists enter in the temple wearing mini skirts or even bikinis. This is seen as highly offensive and you may face protest. Also take of your footwear outside the temple. While entering mosque apart from covering arms and legs, cover your head as well. Remember, entering in some temples is forbidden for women.
Public Transportation - In trains, some compartments are only for women passengers, while in buses in most part of India, left lane is reserved for women. Make sure you take these seats. Avoid taking overcrowded bus or train. You may feel like choking. Besides eve teasing in overcrowded buses is normal. Don't take aisle seat in bus or train. Take window seat if possible as you are not likely to be brushed against in windows seat.
Eve Teasing - You may refer it as unwanted sexual advances which may include some cheap comments and touching breasts or hips. In situation you face any such thing, scream immediately and let everyone around you know what the scum was trying to do. This will scare away the person. If caught by the people, he will be taught a lesson.
Beach - You will not find people in beachwear on Indian beaches. At such places you should avoid wearing bikinis. There are beaches in Goa and Kerala that are hub for foreign tourists. These beaches are ideal for wearing beachwear.
Stay in Touch - Always stay in touch with your family and friends back home. Keep them updated about your travel plans so in case of some unfortunate incident, you could be tracked quickly by the local police. You can make PC to Phone calls if carrying laptop or buy pre paid cellphone to keep in touch with your family.
Hire Taxi - While traveling in bus or train may seem like a unique learning experience, hiring a taxi is much more sensible choice. If gives you freedom of traveling anywhere in the city without any hassle. Any good travel agency or your hotel could arrange a trustworthy English speaking driver with a taxi for you. The driver would come handy as bodyguard for you. If he senses any trouble or someone making unnecessary advances, he would help you out.
Don’t Borrow Food Items - On trains or bus you may be offer food items such as sweets by the fellow passengers. Just politely say no to that. You will see ads on trains asking people not to accept food items from strangers. Such food items may contain some sort of drug or sleeping pills.
Take Care of Luggage and Money - Don't ever lose sight of your luggage while traveling in the train or bus. Don't ever go for sightseeing with all the money you have. Always keep some money and credit cards in your bags at the hotel. Pickpocketing is very common in India therefore keep a tight hold on your purse and keep some money in you pocket in case you lose the purse, there would be enough money to get back to hotel.
