Wearing Shorts in India

googieschlot · Dec 4th, 2005, 23:06

I'm taking my first trip to India in January and February and I'll be going all over the country. My guidebooks tell me that males (I'm a 39-year-old American guy) wear khaki pants and long-sleeved shirts. I am a nice, sensitive guy that wants to be respectful of Indian people but is it absolutely necessary that I do not wear shorts in India? I have travelled extensively in Latin America and the rarely do any adults wear shorts but I don't feel disrespectul wearing shorts there, I just feel like I'm calling more attention to my Americanness. If it just a question of getting strange looks I would like to wear shorts but I won't if people think it is seriously DISRESPECTFUL to do so. I can't stand wearing pants if it's warmer than about 70 degrees....also, are short-sleeve shirts any less of a no-no?

Greg in New York

edwardseco · Dec 4th, 2005, 23:18

Shorts don't put you up in the social scale. I am not sure they are disrespectful but I never was allowed to wear them in public or even when company might come by..

edwardseco · Dec 4th, 2005, 23:19

Shirts typically are short sleeve for the obvious reason..

Merchant · Dec 4th, 2005, 23:58

You will rarely see shorts in India, except for untouchable laborers and schoolboys.

All adult males tend to wear the same clothing--dark slacks (or dhoti) and a white or blue Arrow shirt.

You will have an easier time if you dress a little better. Indian culture is conservative and formal.

Nick-H · Dec 5th, 2005, 00:29

Lots of knees on view though, vestis folded up to knee-hight.

In Chennai this looks very casual. Kerala men have a way of doing it that looks smart!

graybola · Dec 5th, 2005, 00:30

I wore shorts almost the entire time I was there. I tried wearing pants, but I still was stared at no matter what and figured that I may as well be more comfortable. I did wear pants depending on where I was going (out to a nice place to eat, etc). I would say wear shorts and be comfortable.

PeakXV · Dec 5th, 2005, 01:14

More depends on the areas you are visiting. In New Delhi for example, it is quite trendy and common to see locals out walking the dog in Tennis Shorts. I play alot of tennis when there so I am more in shorts than long pants and think Indians (being avid tennis fans) find that acceptable attire.

However if I were going to areas such as Old Delhi (certainly Jama Masjid) or Nizamuddin I would change to longer dress.

There is a whole range of shorts though and I've seen people wear those grunge shorts with holes and peace decals sewed on the crotch raises more than a few bindis!

camelgirl · Dec 5th, 2005, 01:24

As always, location, location, location. But when in doubt, wear zip-offs! My husband loves them. He had to zip the bottoms back on to get into the Vatican!

In India, it's probably better not to wear shorts in cities but fine at beach areas. Don't think you'll get into the Taj Mahal or religious sites in them, but I could be wrong. Others here will know for sure.

Short sleeve shirts are fine anywhere. For some reason though, many Indian men seem to wear long sleeve shirts rolled up. Guess it's a style.

aurovon · Dec 5th, 2005, 03:52

Whats up man. Let me tell you this...it applies to any country..be comfortable with who you are..if you want to wear shorts, then wear shorts. Do NOT worry about what others think. Seriously, you are on a vacation..so have fun. be who you truly are. so what if ppl stare? would u rather be ur true self? or would u rather be influences by social pressure? personally id rather be myself. i wore shorts in india also, i dont care. be who you are. individuality matters the most. remember that. have fun man, be urself.

camelgirl · Dec 5th, 2005, 04:16

be yourself, no matter what....I think you should wear a speedo if that's your most comfortable outfit, who cares how much you insult the people of the country you are a visitor in. If they came to your home and they want to crap on your floor, hey man, they're just being themselves! Everyone just needs to be cool all the time and do whatever they want, that's what I think

traceyam · Dec 5th, 2005, 04:43

Camelgirl, lol...

kiwi_razz · Dec 5th, 2005, 09:39

Shorts in India

why all the concerns over shorts? I wear long shorts quite often and never had a problem. I've even seen some of the trendy guys here in Bangalore wearing them.

Now moustaches are a different story!! If you don't have a moustache then not only is it disrepectful to the whole Indian nation but also you will get stared at a lot, and may even be refused entry into temples. The only males who get away with not having moustaches are children and cricket players and some bollywood stars.

Nick-H · Dec 5th, 2005, 09:46

Yes, it is very disrespectful showing up how silly moustaches are by not having one

camelgirl · Dec 5th, 2005, 09:58

I was really feeling embarassed by my moustache, being a girl, but now I feel much better about it.

Nick-H · Dec 5th, 2005, 10:12

Camelgirl... it's OK. Just don't wear shorts with it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi_razz

I wear long shorts quite often and never had a problem. I've even seen some of the trendy guys here in Bangalore wearing them.

trendy people tend to look stupid, so beware using them as a model

. Take very, very baggy jeans, for instance: how daft does that look?

Dec 4th, 2005, 23:06	#1
googieschlot Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 19	Wearing Shorts in India I'm taking my first trip to India in January and February and I'll be going all over the country. My guidebooks tell me that males (I'm a 39-year-old American guy) wear khaki pants and long-sleeved shirts. I am a nice, sensitive guy that wants to be respectful of Indian people but is it absolutely necessary that I do not wear shorts in India? I have travelled extensively in Latin America and the rarely do any adults wear shorts but I don't feel disrespectul wearing shorts there, I just feel like I'm calling more attention to my Americanness. If it just a question of getting strange looks I would like to wear shorts but I won't if people think it is seriously DISRESPECTFUL to do so. I can't stand wearing pants if it's warmer than about 70 degrees....also, are short-sleeve shirts any less of a no-no? Greg in New York

Dec 5th, 2005, 00:29	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,773	Lots of knees on view though, vestis folded up to knee-hight. In Chennai this looks very casual. Kerala men have a way of doing it that looks smart! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 5th, 2005, 01:14	#7
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,018	More depends on the areas you are visiting. In New Delhi for example, it is quite trendy and common to see locals out walking the dog in Tennis Shorts. I play alot of tennis when there so I am more in shorts than long pants and think Indians (being avid tennis fans) find that acceptable attire. However if I were going to areas such as Old Delhi (certainly Jama Masjid) or Nizamuddin I would change to longer dress. There is a whole range of shorts though and I've seen people wear those grunge shorts with holes and peace decals sewed on the crotch raises more than a few bindis! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Dec 5th, 2005, 04:43	#11
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	Camelgirl, lol... __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

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Dec 4th, 2005, 23:18	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,777	Shorts don't put you up in the social scale. I am not sure they are disrespectful but I never was allowed to wear them in public or even when company might come by..

Dec 4th, 2005, 23:19	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,777	Shirts typically are short sleeve for the obvious reason..

Dec 4th, 2005, 23:58	#4
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,079	You will rarely see shorts in India, except for untouchable laborers and schoolboys. All adult males tend to wear the same clothing--dark slacks (or dhoti) and a white or blue Arrow shirt. You will have an easier time if you dress a little better. Indian culture is conservative and formal.

Dec 5th, 2005, 00:30	#6
graybola Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cuyahoga Falls OH Posts: 48	I wore shorts almost the entire time I was there. I tried wearing pants, but I still was stared at no matter what and figured that I may as well be more comfortable. I did wear pants depending on where I was going (out to a nice place to eat, etc). I would say wear shorts and be comfortable.

Dec 5th, 2005, 01:24	#8
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 980	As always, location, location, location. But when in doubt, wear zip-offs! My husband loves them. He had to zip the bottoms back on to get into the Vatican! In India, it's probably better not to wear shorts in cities but fine at beach areas. Don't think you'll get into the Taj Mahal or religious sites in them, but I could be wrong. Others here will know for sure. Short sleeve shirts are fine anywhere. For some reason though, many Indian men seem to wear long sleeve shirts rolled up. Guess it's a style.

Dec 5th, 2005, 03:52	#9
aurovon Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 54	Whats up man. Let me tell you this...it applies to any country..be comfortable with who you are..if you want to wear shorts, then wear shorts. Do NOT worry about what others think. Seriously, you are on a vacation..so have fun. be who you truly are. so what if ppl stare? would u rather be ur true self? or would u rather be influences by social pressure? personally id rather be myself. i wore shorts in india also, i dont care. be who you are. individuality matters the most. remember that. have fun man, be urself.

Dec 5th, 2005, 04:16	#10
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 980	be yourself, no matter what....I think you should wear a speedo if that's your most comfortable outfit, who cares how much you insult the people of the country you are a visitor in. If they came to your home and they want to crap on your floor, hey man, they're just being themselves! Everyone just needs to be cool all the time and do whatever they want, that's what I think

Dec 5th, 2005, 09:39	#12
kiwi_razz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 410	Shorts in India why all the concerns over shorts? I wear long shorts quite often and never had a problem. I've even seen some of the trendy guys here in Bangalore wearing them. Now moustaches are a different story!! If you don't have a moustache then not only is it disrepectful to the whole Indian nation but also you will get stared at a lot, and may even be refused entry into temples. The only males who get away with not having moustaches are children and cricket players and some bollywood stars.

Dec 5th, 2005, 09:46	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,773	Yes, it is very disrespectful showing up how silly moustaches are by not having one

Dec 5th, 2005, 09:58	#14
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 980	I was really feeling embarassed by my moustache, being a girl, but now I feel much better about it.

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