10 Tips about Indian culture that are good to keep in mind if you are thinking of visiting the country

Certain ancient traditions and customs were not lost in time, being respected until the present day. Furthermore, every country and culture is different, and India is one of the greatest examples of this. There, people behave, eat and even dress uniquely. They have habits and beliefs that must be honored by those who visit the country. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this article.

We, from awesome.clubwe are enchanted by the wonders of Indian culture, so we’ll list some very useful tips below if you’ve already thought about getting to know the country.

From an early age, children in India learn that books represent knowledge. They even have a Goddess of Knowledge, named Sarasvati. In this context, touching books with your feet or even kicking a backpack full of notebooks or books is seen as disrespect.

Any instrument used to develop people is also considered of great importance and cannot be played with the feet. Even pencils and pens are highly valued in Indian culture and must be treated accordingly.

Generally, exploring the local cuisine is one of the coolest activities when visiting another country, and in many cases, the best food is the one sold in small establishments on the street. And the story is no different with Indian cuisine, because it is one of the richest in the world. Definitely worth a try, just be careful with super spicy foods!

As with street food, however, you have to be careful. Look for fresh food, avoid dairy products (as they can be spoiled) as well as ice and water that has not been properly boiled (you definitely shouldn’t drink tap water), and generally opt for clean and friendly establishments. busy.

In general, saying “please” and “thank you” is something normal and welcomed, especially when addressing restaurant or store employees. But in India, when a person uses terms of this nature too often, it can come across as rude or impolite. Who could imagine, right?

When it comes to friends or relatives, traditional ways of showing gratitude can end up creating tension or establishing a level of formality that shouldn’t exist. Instead of saying “thank you very much”, you can opt for “I appreciate it”.

In fact, several cultures have adopted this practice. In many places the right hand is considered pure and even lucky! In India, the left hand is seen as impure, being used to clean shoes, feet and to do jobs that involve dirt in general. Thus, when eating, drinking or handing objects to other people, we must always use the right hand as a way of showing respect.

Many of us are in the habit of using our finger to point directions or particular objects. But definitely not something we should do if we are in India.

Pointing to a place or object is considered rude and impolite. If you need to indicate an address or show something to someone else, do so using your thumb or the entire palm of your hand. In this way, you will be seen as polite and kind.

When visiting smaller cities in India, one must be prepared to use cash to pay for things most of the time. Although in larger cities, malls and restaurants, credit or debit cards may be accepted, they are still rare. And, in small towns, you really need to have money in your pocket. So, here’s the tip: prepare yourself in advance so you don’t run the risk of being left in the lurch.

Of course, lucky tourists manage to communicate in English in big cities, in hotels, restaurants and in some shops. However, the same does not apply in relation to smaller locations. In such cases, the visitor must expect native speakers to communicate in their own language, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Spending some time among people from another country speaking their mother tongue has everything to provide a great experience. You can learn words in a new language and learn more about another culture.

Respect is fundamental anywhere in the world, and India is no different. One way to show reverence for the country and its people is to learn more about the local culture and traditional ways of greeting. In general, a very common greeting in India is “namaste”. You can clasp your open hands together and bow your body respectfully, saying “namaste”. If you want to be more formal, you can use “namaskar”.

As English becomes increasingly globalized, “hello” is also used, especially among tourists and foreigners. On the other hand, it is good to know that “goodbye” is not usually used, since it means not seeing that person again or asking permission to leave the environment.

When we talk about countries in general, public and very effusive displays of affection are not usually well seen, as they are considered too intimate. And especially in India, you shouldn’t show affection in public places. When visiting a country other than your own, mingling with the natives in their customs can be a good choice, as no one wants to get dirty looks. And that’s one of the things you’re better off not doing.

Avoid holding hands or making other overly affectionate gestures when in public places, as such behavior is frowned upon. You might even end up in jail!

One of the most important things to keep in mind when visiting India concerns clothing. We are talking about a conservative country and, to show respect for the place and the people, start with your clothes. Even if it’s hot, prefer to cover up more. Thus, it is possible to demonstrate respect for the place and makes you look like a native.

If you’re visiting a specific tourist spot, you might want to wrap a scarf or scarf around your head to show respect and politeness.

What do you think about the idea of ​​visiting India? In your opinion, what is the most attractive about the country?