Blondes- to dye or not to dye? & women's wear, women's safety etc

Mehndi Masala · Dec 29th, 2007, 20:37

Yeah! I've been called a 'hoot' before!

(better than some names I could be called I reckon!!)

I ain't as good with a one liner as some people (Capt_M!) but the
'(sorry Mehndi I'm only speaking for myself I'm sure you're not an old bag yet!!!!!!)'
was just too good to let pass!

karuna- I think I have to agree with machadinha....it sounds great in context, but I think is someone (ESPECIALLY A GUY) said that in a bar, it would sound a bit....odd...and have wrinkly visions! I'm glad it made you giggle tho!!!!

I am pretty young at heart (I guess the dancing in SUV in traffic to the Om Shanti Om soundtrack kinda demonstrates that) and I hope that I'll still be livin la vida loca for many years to come! Oh.....and oogling guys when they don't think I'm lookin!!!!

Who...me??

Kim

kristinm · Dec 31st, 2007, 08:41

OK we're here!!!! I can't breathe and am completely exhausted and have a headache;; but apart from the smog Mumbai is a blast - the ride from the airport was like an acid trip - some kind of festival was going on. We are about to go out for a walk and then back to the airport to go to Udaipur, Godwin Hotel good...

Bye for now!!!! Can't wait to get out there

Aishah · Dec 31st, 2007, 09:04

Welcome Kristin, and I can catch the excitement in your voice.
And Onto Topic, let us know if you have the wedding ring, dyed your hair, how your choice of clothing is -attracting attention or not?-and general impressions of a woman relating to different cultures and people (won't say culture - there are hundreds of different ways of life here!)

karuna · Dec 31st, 2007, 11:31

Kristin I think it would be great if you start a thread of your own so we can follow everything you're up to without interruptions. Do you think you will be able to give us regular updates? Please please please. I want to know all about it- I've never been to Mumbai.

Nick-H · Dec 31st, 2007, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

the ride from the airport was like an acid trip - some kind of festival was going on.

Probably that was just ordinary Indian life!

Quote:

... ... without interruptions... ...

No chance

Welcome to India, Kristinm

Sama · Dec 31st, 2007, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

the ride from the airport was like an acid trip - some kind of festival was going on.

was it at 2 AM in the morning, down deserted side streets, and did you have the tell the drivers -- who at first told you they knew where your hotel was but actually didn't have a freakin' clue -- how to get to your hotel, after they stopped 3 times to ask directions?

that was my welcome to chennai.

so for all the solo women travelers to india who feel they have to dye their hair or wear a burka in india, if I survived a cab ride down deserted streets at 2 AM, alone with two guys who could barely speak Enlish, believe me, you'll be fine.

Nick-H · Dec 31st, 2007, 14:01

Hey! The fluent English speakers might be more worrying!!!!!

Mehndi Masala · Dec 31st, 2007, 22:36

Yay Kristinm! You're gonna LOVE Mumbai! I still pine for it daily right now and really REALLY wanna go back! Have fun and literally...don't forget to write!

Karuna has the right idea! You should start your own thread!

Kim

Twinkle · Jan 2nd, 2008, 00:01

Just to add my experience - I am quite blond and yes, men stared at me India, but they stared at my dark haired sister just as much.

If anything I thought being fair was an asset as the small children seemed to love the novelty of my hair - always wanting to climb up me and touch it, and also to touch my hair on my arms, which I thought was very sweet :-) A great way to connect with the Indian people!

p.s I didn't ever have any 'trouble' with men. Indian men seem to have a look but don't touch policy. In fact I found it very strange to adjust to being back in London and not turning every man's head! (sob!)

Daydream Believer · Jan 2nd, 2008, 18:00

I've got very thick curly auburn hair, blue eyes and freckles. My hair was waist length when was last in India & I was the subject of much interest, and more than a few marriage proposals.

On the whole it was all very friendly, and actually it was my freckles that caused more interest - when I got sick of kids sneaking up behind me to touch my freckles to see what they felt like I soon learnt to mime as if my freckles were jumping out at them - as if to say if you come too close you'll catch them! Cue much laughter all round, and a much easier time.

On long bus trips I sometimes just put my dupatta over my head like the local women - sometimes makes things more peaceful.

I'm leaving for India the day after tomorrow (hooray!) and my head is now shaved, so I expect just as much attention for this new novelty factor!

Basically, we're all of interest to someone or other for some reason or other....

machadinha · Jan 2nd, 2008, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daydream Believer

and my head is now shaved

Just expect little more serious than a lot of interested queries as to your religious affiliation & pilgrimage purposes, and perhaps some humorous reactions.

Going there I had grown my hair to something passable in an effort to blend in. Halfway through my trip I figured with all the attention I was getting no matter what anyway, I might as well bring it back to the dreadlocked mohican that it really was at the time. No ill effects, except as in the above. It sure didn't bring with it the aggression it might in some other places, including where I live. Other than the religious associations, I was mostly likened to some famous Bollywood star at the time who I gathered had a vaguely similar hairdo, often hearing his name shouted after me on the streets, all in a kindly jovial fashion.

Barbers would do it in a jiffy and without blinking an eyelid too, like they'd never done anything else all their lives. And I suppose they really haven't, as far as shaving heads in various styles goes.

PeakXV · Jan 2nd, 2008, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daydream Believer

Basically, we're all of interest to someone or other for some reason or other....

...... or everybody is always somebody else's weirdo.

That expression always makes me laugh in India - for invariably I catch myself staring in utter bewilderment at a brightly painted sadhu etc. ... only to swing around and catch an Indian or two staring at me with an equal expression of bewilderment.

<reminds self: gotta kick the dhoti/turban habit one of these days

>

Daydream Believer · Jan 2nd, 2008, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

...... or everybody is always somebody else's weirdo.

Exactly. It's the same the world over, esp in my adopted home town London. I love it here for many reasons, one of which is the 'freak factor'. I can be walking down the street, people watching, and think, wow, look at that cool freak, and they no doubt are looking at me thinking, wow, look at that cool freak!

karuna · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:00

Depending on how long ago you adopted London as your home, you may or may not remember Kensington underground market (RIP). It was full of people with ridiculous hair and piercings. Nobody cared. *sigh*
Those were the days.

I shaved my head once. It was so much easier, so much less hassle than long hair. It took me ages to find a hairdresser that would shave a woman's head, how stupid is that? I'd just dyed it green as well, so I had green head stubble for a couple of months hehe. Another world. *even more heartfelt sigh*

Am I right in thinking that in India a shaved head is a sign of mourning? Or am I mixing that up with somewhere else (sorry, I've been reading a lot on various places)?

machadinha · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by karuna

Am I right in thinking that in India a shaved head is a sign of mourning?

Generally, yes; however it might denote a purpose of certain pilgrimages, possibly linked up with a certain phase in life, by choice or otherwise (I think).

Dec 29th, 2007, 20:37	#586
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 208	Yeah! I've been called a 'hoot' before! (better than some names I could be called I reckon!!) I ain't as good with a one liner as some people (Capt_M!) but the '(sorry Mehndi I'm only speaking for myself I'm sure you're not an old bag yet!!!!!!)' was just too good to let pass! karuna- I think I have to agree with machadinha....it sounds great in context, but I think is someone (ESPECIALLY A GUY) said that in a bar, it would sound a bit....odd...and have wrinkly visions! I'm glad it made you giggle tho!!!! I am pretty young at heart (I guess the dancing in SUV in traffic to the Om Shanti Om soundtrack kinda demonstrates that) and I hope that I'll still be livin la vida loca for many years to come! Oh.....and oogling guys when they don't think I'm lookin!!!! Who...me?? Kim __________________ Time flies like an arrow.......... Fruit flies like a banana! http://www.winnipeghenna.com

Dec 31st, 2007, 09:04	#588
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,041	Welcome Kristin, and I can catch the excitement in your voice. And Onto Topic, let us know if you have the wedding ring, dyed your hair, how your choice of clothing is -attracting attention or not?-and general impressions of a woman relating to different cultures and people (won't say culture - there are hundreds of different ways of life here!) __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Dec 31st, 2007, 08:41	#587
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,483	OK we're here!!!! I can't breathe and am completely exhausted and have a headache;; but apart from the smog Mumbai is a blast - the ride from the airport was like an acid trip - some kind of festival was going on. We are about to go out for a walk and then back to the airport to go to Udaipur, Godwin Hotel good... Bye for now!!!! Can't wait to get out there

Dec 31st, 2007, 11:31	#589
karuna The cat's mother Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,718	Kristin I think it would be great if you start a thread of your own so we can follow everything you're up to without interruptions. Do you think you will be able to give us regular updates? Please please please. I want to know all about it- I've never been to Mumbai.

Dec 31st, 2007, 14:01	#592
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,908	Hey! The fluent English speakers might be more worrying!!!!!

Dec 31st, 2007, 22:36	#593
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 208	Yay Kristinm! You're gonna LOVE Mumbai! I still pine for it daily right now and really REALLY wanna go back! Have fun and literally...don't forget to write! Karuna has the right idea! You should start your own thread! Kim

Jan 2nd, 2008, 00:01	#594
Twinkle Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 15	Just to add my experience - I am quite blond and yes, men stared at me India, but they stared at my dark haired sister just as much. If anything I thought being fair was an asset as the small children seemed to love the novelty of my hair - always wanting to climb up me and touch it, and also to touch my hair on my arms, which I thought was very sweet :-) A great way to connect with the Indian people! p.s I didn't ever have any 'trouble' with men. Indian men seem to have a look but don't touch policy. In fact I found it very strange to adjust to being back in London and not turning every man's head! (sob!)

Jan 2nd, 2008, 18:00	#595
Daydream Believer Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 90	I've got very thick curly auburn hair, blue eyes and freckles. My hair was waist length when was last in India & I was the subject of much interest, and more than a few marriage proposals. On the whole it was all very friendly, and actually it was my freckles that caused more interest - when I got sick of kids sneaking up behind me to touch my freckles to see what they felt like I soon learnt to mime as if my freckles were jumping out at them - as if to say if you come too close you'll catch them! Cue much laughter all round, and a much easier time. On long bus trips I sometimes just put my dupatta over my head like the local women - sometimes makes things more peaceful. I'm leaving for India the day after tomorrow (hooray!) and my head is now shaved, so I expect just as much attention for this new novelty factor! Basically, we're all of interest to someone or other for some reason or other....

Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:00	#599
karuna The cat's mother Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,718	Depending on how long ago you adopted London as your home, you may or may not remember Kensington underground market (RIP). It was full of people with ridiculous hair and piercings. Nobody cared. sigh Those were the days. I shaved my head once. It was so much easier, so much less hassle than long hair. It took me ages to find a hairdresser that would shave a woman's head, how stupid is that? I'd just dyed it green as well, so I had green head stubble for a couple of months hehe. Another world. even more heartfelt sigh Am I right in thinking that in India a shaved head is a sign of mourning? Or am I mixing that up with somewhere else (sorry, I've been reading a lot on various places)?

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