Advice.. first time India traveller

yourfinesthour · Apr 3rd, 2007, 21:39

I apologize if I am in the wrong forum...I am new here

I'm going to India next week. Right now I am finishing a month long stay in Vietnam. I have a few questions...and again I apologize if they have been covered...

1)Is it really that unsafe? As a single female travelling alone,.can I do it without fear of being robbed or mugged? People keep telling me how dangerous it is and that I should have my head examined.

cyberhippie · Apr 3rd, 2007, 21:49

This is an overdone topic, so I'll keep it short and sweet. For every tale of woe from women travelers in India there are a hundred good ones. Thousands do this every year MOST have nothing to tell!!
Unfortunately the advent of forums like this, would have you believe otherwise.

Common sense in terms of not walking around at night on your own, avoiding as much as possible large groups of testosterone charged youths etc etc. will minimise the risk, which in all honesty, is about all you can do whilst traveling!.

Much of the stories you hear from women travelers are real but somehow myth conspires to make things out to be much worse than they are. The sexual harassment stories are usually lewd remarks or the much worse "eve teasing" Even this though, is usually little more than a quick feel in a crowded place. So though embarrassing and annoying, it doesn't fall into the even more serious category of rape, or serious sexual assault!
Not condoning these actions but I think it pays to differentiate between eve teasing and more serious assault. Especially for first timers who might be feeling a little intimidated!!

Again thousands of women do this every year with little or no problems!!

Robbery and muggings are until now extremely rare in India again use you head to minimise the risk!

Annett · Apr 3rd, 2007, 22:14

As Cyberhippie already mentioned...use your common sense and it will be another great trip - after surviving Vietnams chaotic traffic system... India should be a really relaxing holiday for you

Enjoy your trip – and welcome to Indiamike!

akt · Apr 3rd, 2007, 22:18

India is a vast country with many good and bad possibilities. Exercise normal common sense. Avoid obvious no-no's like flashing money or valuables, walking alone in dark, or accepting rides or invitations from strangers (or inviting them to your place). You seem to be an experienced traveler. Use your own judgment and you'll be fine.

Which places are you going to visit?

yourfinesthour · Apr 3rd, 2007, 22:27

Thanks that was so quick! I usually trust my own gut feeling about these things but when you talk to some people....

I haven't decided yet....this India trip was last minute. I have an old friend who lives in Mumbai with her hubby and children so I am paying them a visit before I set off myself.

I just bought the Lonely Planet Guide to India because quite frankly I don't know much about the country. Rajastan (?) I hear is supposed to be nice and colorful...people keep telling me. I am interested in wildlife, trekking etc. SO any suggestions would be appreciated.

the opoponax · Apr 4th, 2007, 19:59

to cyberhippie's great rundown i would also add a couple things.

firstly, you are far more likely to be assaulted (sexually or otherwise) by a friend, boyfriend, or husband at home than you are in another country, or even in your neighborhood bar. the VAST majority of violence that women face comes from people they know, love, and trust. unfortunuate, but true. you have less to worry about walking down a dark and deserted street in Delhi than you do in your own living room, statistically speaking.

my other point is that the sort of things i've heard described (along the lines of "eve-teasing") also have a tendency to happen in many quite civilized parts of the US and Europe which you would visit without a thought to your 'womanly virtues' or whatever that indian law calls it. i've been groped more on the New York City subway system and at Mardi Gras in New Orleans far more than i think anybody ever is on a vacation to India. and both of those are "home turf" for me.

Aishah · Apr 4th, 2007, 20:49

Think seriously about Rajasthan- maybe just a short journey Jaipur, Pushkar, Shekawati region. Any further west it is becoming unbearably hot and uncomfortable. Temps. now over 35'c. The best regions to go to now are up in the hills - Uttaranchal, Himachel are all good. Kashmir also but I hesitate to recommend with unsettled situation there - however, I have come across some travellers who have recently come back from Srinagar and said it was fine. Definitely these areas will be more comfortable as far as heat during the day.

Apr 3rd, 2007, 21:39	#1
yourfinesthour Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: south korea Posts: 20	Advice.. first time India traveller I apologize if I am in the wrong forum...I am new here I'm going to India next week. Right now I am finishing a month long stay in Vietnam. I have a few questions...and again I apologize if they have been covered... 1)Is it really that unsafe? As a single female travelling alone,.can I do it without fear of being robbed or mugged? People keep telling me how dangerous it is and that I should have my head examined.

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Apr 3rd, 2007, 21:49	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	This is an overdone topic, so I'll keep it short and sweet. For every tale of woe from women travelers in India there are a hundred good ones. Thousands do this every year MOST have nothing to tell!! Unfortunately the advent of forums like this, would have you believe otherwise. Common sense in terms of not walking around at night on your own, avoiding as much as possible large groups of testosterone charged youths etc etc. will minimise the risk, which in all honesty, is about all you can do whilst traveling!. Much of the stories you hear from women travelers are real but somehow myth conspires to make things out to be much worse than they are. The sexual harassment stories are usually lewd remarks or the much worse "eve teasing" Even this though, is usually little more than a quick feel in a crowded place. So though embarrassing and annoying, it doesn't fall into the even more serious category of rape, or serious sexual assault! Not condoning these actions but I think it pays to differentiate between eve teasing and more serious assault. Especially for first timers who might be feeling a little intimidated!! Again thousands of women do this every year with little or no problems!! Robbery and muggings are until now extremely rare in India again use you head to minimise the risk!

Apr 3rd, 2007, 22:14	#3
Annett Refused Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mera Bhaarat Mahaan - Bangalore Posts: 381	As Cyberhippie already mentioned...use your common sense and it will be another great trip - after surviving Vietnams chaotic traffic system... India should be a really relaxing holiday for you Enjoy your trip – and welcome to Indiamike!

Apr 3rd, 2007, 22:18	#4
akt Account Closed Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: USA Posts: 438	India is a vast country with many good and bad possibilities. Exercise normal common sense. Avoid obvious no-no's like flashing money or valuables, walking alone in dark, or accepting rides or invitations from strangers (or inviting them to your place). You seem to be an experienced traveler. Use your own judgment and you'll be fine. Which places are you going to visit?

Apr 3rd, 2007, 22:27	#5
yourfinesthour Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: south korea Posts: 20	Thanks that was so quick! I usually trust my own gut feeling about these things but when you talk to some people.... I haven't decided yet....this India trip was last minute. I have an old friend who lives in Mumbai with her hubby and children so I am paying them a visit before I set off myself. I just bought the Lonely Planet Guide to India because quite frankly I don't know much about the country. Rajastan (?) I hear is supposed to be nice and colorful...people keep telling me. I am interested in wildlife, trekking etc. SO any suggestions would be appreciated.

Apr 4th, 2007, 19:59	#6
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,052	to cyberhippie's great rundown i would also add a couple things. firstly, you are far more likely to be assaulted (sexually or otherwise) by a friend, boyfriend, or husband at home than you are in another country, or even in your neighborhood bar. the VAST majority of violence that women face comes from people they know, love, and trust. unfortunuate, but true. you have less to worry about walking down a dark and deserted street in Delhi than you do in your own living room, statistically speaking. my other point is that the sort of things i've heard described (along the lines of "eve-teasing") also have a tendency to happen in many quite civilized parts of the US and Europe which you would visit without a thought to your 'womanly virtues' or whatever that indian law calls it. i've been groped more on the New York City subway system and at Mardi Gras in New Orleans far more than i think anybody ever is on a vacation to India. and both of those are "home turf" for me.

Apr 4th, 2007, 20:49	#7
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,401	Think seriously about Rajasthan- maybe just a short journey Jaipur, Pushkar, Shekawati region. Any further west it is becoming unbearably hot and uncomfortable. Temps. now over 35'c. The best regions to go to now are up in the hills - Uttaranchal, Himachel are all good. Kashmir also but I hesitate to recommend with unsettled situation there - however, I have come across some travellers who have recently come back from Srinagar and said it was fine. Definitely these areas will be more comfortable as far as heat during the day.

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