Realistic info/advice for a solo female traveler?

Indiafan

I agreed, dont worry. Outside Goa I always wear Salwar Kameez which is confortable and cool to wear even in 40 deg C. Generally I reply that I am married (as 95% of Indian women are there is no clear undertanding of single women travelling), I have a son and I am travelling wihtout my husband as he has his own business and could not join. Next year he will come with me. This is what the Indian men understand. If they still try to ask about sex questions and how free sex is in Europe (usually only the single ones) I ask if his mother has found a suitable bride for him already. This finally puts them off.

Indian people are very tolerate towards foreign women. They forgive you many things which are not possible for themselves, like travelling alone. Just act according to their rools and culture and you have no problems.

I like my cold beer somethimes and it has coused a lot of confustion in small villages when the waiters did not understand that I actually wanted a beer instead of mineral water. The whole restaurant staff came to have a look of me but I finally got it.

Be sensible but enjoy, India is a beutiful country!

tmcat

I traveled solo 2x (skied in Gulmarg & hiked in Manali). Dress decently will help avoid a lot of unwanted troubles. I agree with some IMers said that in India, a single woman travels on her own is viewed like a 7yrs old alone without parents. I had so much helps from friendly Indians, especially Indian family. They are so concerned as if I didn't know how to walk and take care myself.

The other thing I want to say is, in Indian, a lot of guys (esp those isn't educated or live in remotely places) have no idea to interact with the oppositive sex with an equal stand. I mean just to be friend, nothing else. In their mind, there is no such a thing exist.

somnath

That’s an innovative idea!!!! Hope it works for you.

Sama

I'm leaving for Chennai in 45 days (studying at yoga mandiram) and posted a number of questions about appropriate attire, etc., for a western woman traveling alone. IM is an awesome site and I've learned a lot.

I will say that I have stopped obsessing about how to act and what to wear. I plan on wearing salwar kameez, and I'm changing into one when I get to the Frankfort airport so I can walk off the plane in one in Chennai. I won't wear sleeveless tops, I'll bring lots of baggy T-shirts with me. I'll wear loose yoga pants, obviously I won't be walking around in my skin-tight ones, or wear my camisole yoga tops on the street. No shorts, but I'll being a few jeans. Some of my baggy yoga pants are capris, come to mid calf, and if people are freaked by a show of my ankles, I don't care, I'll deal with it. It's going to be hotter than Hades anyway, and if I want to wear capri pants, I'm wearing them! People will probably be more interested in my ankle tattoos anyway, and my red hair....

I'm a big city girl anyway (Chicago), so I have street smarts (and yes, I know, things are WAY different in an Indian city!), so I will be aware and cautious. I certainly don't plan on being a shrinking violet if I get hassled. I'll be polite, and have a nice attitude, but I won't take any crap either. I think it's all about body language, too -- I have a big city walk and glare, when needed. If I really get hassled, I'll just start yelling back in SPANISH, that might freak someone out and make them re-think.

The bottom line is, I'm going to dress decently, as has already been suggested, and just not worry about it, not obsess about it. I plan on just going with the flow and having a positive attitude.

As for the comment "Another situation was also on a train when I a guy was jerking off at me for several hours and did not stop even after I screamed at him.", that can happen everyday on a Chicago bus. I had to deal with that when I was in high school when I was on a bus going to downtown Chicago -- life in the big city!!

__________________
My India, 2005-2008

asucka

Gosh! I am also from the megapolis called Moscow but here such things do not happen usually. Of course, an insane person would do that but he will definitely try to hide it from me. And if other people saw that they would not leave it as it goes. The guy would have hard times, may be involving police. Sorry for you Chicago girls! But I do envy your street skills wish I had some

Sama

HA! that's not a usual happening in Chicago either, asucka! However, I did witness two cab drivers go at each other with butcher knives once....