NRI males getting a bad rep in Goa?

jay2 · Dec 15th, 2006, 01:07

Hey all, this is my first post to the IndiaMike forums.

I'm making this post to ask a question of Goan locals, or people who have had previous Goa experience.

I'm heading to Goa from the 26Dec-4th Jan for the New Years scene and have been reading various forums on the net. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing having heard that Goa is a great NY's destination.

But something that seems to keep popping up as I scour the net is seemingly the bad reputation that NRI males seem to have in Goa. Mainly in regards to hassling women.

Ok, my question is, is this just blown out of proportion? I guess I am sort of worried because I am an NRI 21 year old male, and I'm not sure if all the parties/spots I'll be visiting will have the crowd there seeing me as some sort of predator. The stereotype of the "seedy Indian man" is one that has annoyed me and my friends to no end. It's not a major issue, but something that's been at the back of my mind.

Is this bad reputation justified?

So, I guess my question is, how are NRI's treated in Goa ('normal' NRI's btw, not the obnoxious "look at me, I'm from overseas" NRI :P)?

machadinha · Dec 15th, 2006, 01:25

I know nothing of Goa. Just another thread recently reminded me how I once parted with a western female friend who I had met along the way & hooked up with for a while with the cautionary words to look out for other western male "travellers" she would meet on her further route more than anything (she was going solo for the first time after that, having arrived there on a trip with her family who had then gone home). When I met her at home some months later, she laughingly agreed that this was one of the best pieces of advice she'd been given.

Just another one of those observations. It may not help you directly, but maybe others.

osgeek · Dec 15th, 2006, 01:28

I don't think anyone can tell an NRI from an Indian resident just by looking, unless, of course, you introduce yourself as, "Hi, I'm an NRI".
btw, where did you hear that stereotyping NRI thing. That is first for me. But I've never been to Goa, so no idea!

Nick-H · Dec 15th, 2006, 01:54

How do you find the reputation of NRIs where you are now, Jay2?

jay2 · Dec 15th, 2006, 02:09

I've travelled a bit. London, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, to name a few and basically can't say that the perception is much different. Maybe it's just something apparent within the 19-25 university-aged demographic, but it seems like there's a negative sexual association with being an Indian male, in a predatory sense. This 'consensus' being gleamed from conversation, internet perusal and the odd unintentional overhead conversation. While this has never really affected me, my friends and I have always noted these feelings.

While none of this will be affecting my Goa trip, I thought I might as well post some of my thoughts onto IndiaMike.

Nick-H · Dec 15th, 2006, 02:20

I'm a long way off from Goa, from any sort of party scene, and even further from your age group, so I'm not qualified, really, to comment in any way! But this is the first (I think) we have heard of such a stereotyping here on IM, and we've sure heard about a lot of stereotyping!

Coming admittedly from my own stereotyping, I would be enclined to think that no NRI would come to India to chase women, whether Indian or foreign! They'd either stay at home or choose some mediteranean resort with a reputation for hoiday makers seeking the three Ss. I'd also expect someone who is used to Western culture to lack the fantasy view that some native Indians might have about Western sexuality. In short, I'd expect them to relate to non-Indian women more like someone from the woman's own country would.

So it is a stereotype that I find slightly puzzling...

machadinha · Dec 15th, 2006, 02:45

An off-topic question is have you been before? Just curious. I'm asking because some of the most culture-shocked travelers I've met were first-time visitors of Indian origin

I guess it's something to do with having even higher expectations of automatically feeling at home there, then finding this isn't so automatically the case. Not to mention pressing family obligations and stuff no matter how distant, where applicable.

jay2 · Dec 15th, 2006, 02:50

It'll be my first time to Goa, yes. I've only ever spent extended periods of time in India in either Madras or Bombay and those have been strictly relative-visiting affairs.

This is going to be my first time in Goa with university buddies.

fredericknoronha · Dec 15th, 2006, 05:26

Tourism is supposed to promote understanding. Global understanding, they say. I think it only promotes more stereotypes. We're Goan, and when we landed at one party, we were looked on suspciously... as if we were drug peddlars. They expect every Goan to be a drug peddler ("else you have no business to be there"), every Indian (not just NRIs alone) to be lecherous ... Of course, this was some time back. But I guess the stereotypes (which border on the racist) haven't changed for the better. Just my view.

crvlvr · Dec 15th, 2006, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay2

But something that seems to keep popping up as I scour the net is seemingly the bad reputation that NRI males seem to have in Goa. Mainly in regards to hassling women.

This is the first time I am hearing anything about NRI males. Would be great if you can share some links. IMHO, NRI males are no different others in Goa. But, then are drunk males..

jay2 · Dec 18th, 2006, 01:21

this is just something i found after a few minutes of browsing Lonely Planet.

Link= http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me...entid=0&from=1

Note, I'm not really interested in the original poster who created the thread, but rather his reception.

Essentially, my thoughts mirror the poster "CogitoErgoSum" when he says

Quote:

Give the guy a break, will you? I don't wish to be my brother's keeper, but the constant Indian-men-are-the-root-of-all-evil attitude annoys me no end. Every other day we see a post where people look for travel partners of the opposite sex - but only Indian men get picked on so viciously.

I don't want this thread to derail into race-bashing or anything like that. Just thought I'd find something quickly based on what "crvlvr" asked.

edwardseco · Dec 18th, 2006, 01:49

Yes, that particular thread evolved into a brain bashing sequence between 3 traditional antagonists with little new to say. I'll disagree with CES's evaluation because lots of tasteless, brainless non-Indian hornies (as my spouse calls them: thornies) show up to get a rousing sendoff..

Nick-H · Dec 18th, 2006, 01:54

Let the ThornTree arguments stay at the ThornTree!

Don't suppose they want ours either...

osgeek · Dec 18th, 2006, 01:55

Perhaps the original poster meant Indian male when he wrote NRI males. In that case, I have no idea what the stereotype is. But it seems unlikely that there is any issue just with NRIs.

Nick-H · Dec 18th, 2006, 01:57

No... he is an NRI, and is concerned as to how he might be viewed.

I guess time will tell... Perhaps he'll report back

Dec 15th, 2006, 01:07	#1
jay2 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 5	NRI males getting a bad rep in Goa? Hey all, this is my first post to the IndiaMike forums. I'm making this post to ask a question of Goan locals, or people who have had previous Goa experience. I'm heading to Goa from the 26Dec-4th Jan for the New Years scene and have been reading various forums on the net. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing having heard that Goa is a great NY's destination. But something that seems to keep popping up as I scour the net is seemingly the bad reputation that NRI males seem to have in Goa. Mainly in regards to hassling women. Ok, my question is, is this just blown out of proportion? I guess I am sort of worried because I am an NRI 21 year old male, and I'm not sure if all the parties/spots I'll be visiting will have the crowd there seeing me as some sort of predator. The stereotype of the "seedy Indian man" is one that has annoyed me and my friends to no end. It's not a major issue, but something that's been at the back of my mind. Is this bad reputation justified? So, I guess my question is, how are NRI's treated in Goa ('normal' NRI's btw, not the obnoxious "look at me, I'm from overseas" NRI :P)?

Dec 15th, 2006, 01:25	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,917	I know nothing of Goa. Just another thread recently reminded me how I once parted with a western female friend who I had met along the way & hooked up with for a while with the cautionary words to look out for other western male "travellers" she would meet on her further route more than anything (she was going solo for the first time after that, having arrived there on a trip with her family who had then gone home). When I met her at home some months later, she laughingly agreed that this was one of the best pieces of advice she'd been given. Just another one of those observations. It may not help you directly, but maybe others. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Dec 15th, 2006, 01:28	#3
osgeek osgeek Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 50	I don't think anyone can tell an NRI from an Indian resident just by looking, unless, of course, you introduce yourself as, "Hi, I'm an NRI". btw, where did you hear that stereotyping NRI thing. That is first for me. But I've never been to Goa, so no idea! __________________ India Photoblog at: www.indiasnaps.blogspot.com

Dec 15th, 2006, 01:54	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	How do you find the reputation of NRIs where you are now, Jay2? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 15th, 2006, 05:26	#9
fredericknoronha FN/fredericknoronha Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Goa India Posts: 106	Stereotypes Tourism is supposed to promote understanding. Global understanding, they say. I think it only promotes more stereotypes. We're Goan, and when we landed at one party, we were looked on suspciously... as if we were drug peddlars. They expect every Goan to be a drug peddler ("else you have no business to be there"), every Indian (not just NRIs alone) to be lecherous ... Of course, this was some time back. But I guess the stereotypes (which border on the racist) haven't changed for the better. Just my view. __________________ -- FN M: 0091 9822122436 P: +91-832-240-9490 (after 1 pm) http://fn.goa-india.org http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com http://www.goa-india.org http://feeds.goa-india.org/index.php f r e d e r i c k n o r o n h a @ g m a i l . c o m

Dec 15th, 2006, 02:09	#5
jay2 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 5	I've travelled a bit. London, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, to name a few and basically can't say that the perception is much different. Maybe it's just something apparent within the 19-25 university-aged demographic, but it seems like there's a negative sexual association with being an Indian male, in a predatory sense. This 'consensus' being gleamed from conversation, internet perusal and the odd unintentional overhead conversation. While this has never really affected me, my friends and I have always noted these feelings. While none of this will be affecting my Goa trip, I thought I might as well post some of my thoughts onto IndiaMike.

Dec 15th, 2006, 02:20	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I'm a long way off from Goa, from any sort of party scene, and even further from your age group, so I'm not qualified, really, to comment in any way! But this is the first (I think) we have heard of such a stereotyping here on IM, and we've sure heard about a lot of stereotyping! Coming admittedly from my own stereotyping, I would be enclined to think that no NRI would come to India to chase women, whether Indian or foreign! They'd either stay at home or choose some mediteranean resort with a reputation for hoiday makers seeking the three Ss. I'd also expect someone who is used to Western culture to lack the fantasy view that some native Indians might have about Western sexuality. In short, I'd expect them to relate to non-Indian women more like someone from the woman's own country would. So it is a stereotype that I find slightly puzzling...

Dec 15th, 2006, 02:45	#7
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,917	An off-topic question is have you been before? Just curious. I'm asking because some of the most culture-shocked travelers I've met were first-time visitors of Indian origin I guess it's something to do with having even higher expectations of automatically feeling at home there, then finding this isn't so automatically the case. Not to mention pressing family obligations and stuff no matter how distant, where applicable.

Dec 15th, 2006, 02:50	#8
jay2 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 5	It'll be my first time to Goa, yes. I've only ever spent extended periods of time in India in either Madras or Bombay and those have been strictly relative-visiting affairs. This is going to be my first time in Goa with university buddies.

Dec 18th, 2006, 01:49	#12
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,142	Yes, that particular thread evolved into a brain bashing sequence between 3 traditional antagonists with little new to say. I'll disagree with CES's evaluation because lots of tasteless, brainless non-Indian hornies (as my spouse calls them: thornies) show up to get a rousing sendoff..

Dec 18th, 2006, 01:54	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Let the ThornTree arguments stay at the ThornTree! Don't suppose they want ours either...

Dec 18th, 2006, 01:55	#14
osgeek osgeek Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 50	Perhaps the original poster meant Indian male when he wrote NRI males. In that case, I have no idea what the stereotype is. But it seems unlikely that there is any issue just with NRIs.

Dec 18th, 2006, 01:57	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	No... he is an NRI, and is concerned as to how he might be viewed. I guess time will tell... Perhaps he'll report back

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