The 16 India Customs when Traveling
Local Cuisine & Hygiene
Indian cuisine varies across regions featuring an array of bold flavors and it would be a shame not to thoroughly indulge, which unfortunately is something most western travelers fear doing for the risk of contracting ‘Delhi belly’ – simply put a serious case of traveler’s diarrhea. This usually happens due to questionable hygiene standards and food contamination. There is no guarantee that you will escape unscathed, but there are ways to reduce the risk.
We mostly avoided street food due to hygiene concerns
Use hand sanitizer religiously.
Use hand sanitizer to disinfect your utensils before eating.
Do not consume fresh produce as it may have been washed in contaminated water.
Avoid ordering meat and dairy at unvetted establishments.
Go easy on the spice if you are not used to it.
Make sure your food is freshly cooked to order and hasn’t been sitting out for an unknown duration of time.
Take food tours to seek out recommendations to reputable dining venues, speak to your concierge, read reviews, and, of course, our blog posts.
Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
And, goes without saying, drink bottled water exclusively.
India Custom of Personal Space
Traveling to India may just be an introvert's biggest challenge. India is extremely chaotic and crowded and there seems to be no concept of personal space, which makes sense when you consider that it is the most populous country in the world as of 2024. Getting on and off the train is like swimming against the current. And it’s absolutely normal for strangers to rub against you while riding public transport, breathing down your spine while waiting in a queue, possibly peaking over your shoulder and jumping said queue. Be patient and watch out for your belongings in case there are pickpocketers in the crowd. We were pleasantly surprised in Delhi, when people offered us seats several different times.
Getting Asked for Selfies
Expect to be asked for photos. A lot. Politely oblige or decline as you see fit, but don’t get frustrated as taking a selfie with a white tourist is only part of the fun for them. And the incessant staring at times is mostly out of curiosity. Stay cautious, but embrace it and turn it into an opportunity to make friends. We sure did! And if the lack of personal space gets too exhausting, take a break back at your accommodation. Everyone was very kind and curious and we had so much fun interacting with this Indian custom of selfies.
Punctuality
Make sure to pack extra patience and adapt a flexible itinerary because punctuality is not India’s strong suit. So much so that Indians seem to have a world-famous reputation for tardiness called ‘Indian Stretchable Time’ in place of Indian Standard Time, which apparently, everyone interprets differently. There are a few reasons for that – extreme traffic, poor road quality and general attitude. Nobody is in a rush in India. How does that affect you as a traveler? You might experience transportation and tour delays. We suggest factoring buffer time into your plans and maintaining tight communication and follow-ups with any organizers or service providers to help anticipate schedule changes. Whatever you do, don’t get frustrated, fall in with the pace of life in India, and practice staying in the present moment.
Having Enough Change
Cards are not as widely used as a method of payment, so having enough cash on you is vital to enjoying a smooth day of sightseeing. If you plan on visiting local spots, especially off the beaten path, you should carry sufficient change for your plans as sometimes venues and shopkeepers don’t have enough or short-change you. We recommend breaking down your large bills at your hotel every day before heading out and counting what you receive back when paying for things.
Inequality
Visiting India for the first time may be overwhelming for many reasons. For one, the level of poverty is confronting, it’s everywhere, and there is nothing you can do about it. The caste system, which divides society into 5 strict categories, still exists and influences social dynamics in India. It’s a complex topic to comprehend as a foreigner and navigate as a tourist. We recommend being aware, observant, and respectful toward everyone. We arrived in India with an open mind and, if anything, learned how happy one can be with less.
Hospitality
The hospitality part India customs is parallel to none. They even have a proverb that says “The guest is God”. So even if the people welcoming you have very little, they will do everything to make you feel most welcome. You will get spoiled rotten with kindness and attention. Being a good guest is equally important. It’s customary to bring a small gift as a token of appreciation if invited to someone’s home. Don’t forget!
We hope our travel advice on common India customs is insightful and results in you having a smooth and memorable stay. Let us know in the comments which of these tips for visiting India helped the most!