Tips for travellers
The CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
This is a working page where everyone is invited to actively participate in debating and putting down what they think are important notes that a traveller should have when exploring in our beautiful and complex country and its culture. Please feel free to add as comments, without disturbing anyone else's work.
Cultural Maze
As a guest in an Indian home there are a few courtesies that will be appreciated. 1.Unless you see your hosts wearing footwear in the house, it's polite to slip off your shoes at the door. Leave them on the porch if it is a house or in the entrance hall if it is a flat. You'll probably see other shoes there. If in doubt, ask. This is normal in a tropical country where shoes can track in dust from the street. If you are staying in the house you could probably change out of outside shoes into flipflops or house slippers while at home. Shoes are always taken off before entering a kitchen, a prayer room or bedrooms, even if you wear them in the living area.
Appropriate Dressing
1. The chief idea is to blend in, not stick out like a sore thumb and be aware of and respect cultural and religious sensitivities if any.
2. The travellers uniform of trousers and sweatshirt will make you disappear in the crowd in a western country, while you will look like you're in fancy dress or at least very obvious if you wear sarees, kimonos or any national costume out of your country.
3. But a western woman in India cannot get away with wearing a sari or other Indian costumes and trying to merge into a crowd. So stick to your usual clothes. The best bet is to be decorous, comfortable and clean. Skirts that are at least knee length, trousers and cropped trousers, tee shirts, blouses and shirts in cotton, linen or other natural fabrics that breathe are best for the climate.
4. Nothing too tight, too low, transparent or short. No plunging necks and sleeveless tops in Muslim dominated areas like Kashmir, Ajmer, Lucknow, Hyderabad. Carry a shawl, stole or sarong for instant coverups when about to enter a place of worship.
5. Being clean and tidy helps. So please observe the same standards of neatness as you would in your own country. No ripped, stained or crumpled clothes. Washed hair, regular shaves and trimmed beards (for men) and a general squeaky clean look shows and earns respect.
6.Tunics(kurtas)are loose, airy and versatile, easily teamed with trousers and accepted as Indo-Western wear, in both male and female styles. Similarly loose kaftans for wearing around the house, especially if you are staying with a traditional family. These double as sleep wear. Pajamas and track pants are also acceptable as home or sleep wear. Don't wear skimpy lingerie or shorts if you are staying with a conservative family (unless you have a room to yourself and are going to change when you wake up.) A wrap around skirt is handy if you need to cover up your shorts before appearing in public. And for men, a sarong or "lungi" serves the same purpose. All these are easily and inexpensively bought while travelling in India.
