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

Nick-H · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:06

It may be somewhere, but it is more likely that, on visiting some pilgrimage temples, it is the custom to give one's hair to god.

One TN temple they do this... I forget which.

It also may be done as an offerring in support of a request.

Camden market area is still full of people with ridiculous hair and piercings. I don't remember Kensington. There used to be a big alternative vibe around the top end of ---damn, hole in brain cell: the Notting Hill antique market street, up under the WestWay (as it was called then. The A40) flyover.

<cross-posted with Mach: I didn't know about the mourning thing. Maybe not in my corner of India, or maybe I just never saw it>

Errr.... Portabello Road

karuna · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:13

Thanks both.

Yeah, Portobello Road ain't what it used to be either. The Chandni Chowk of Old Laaahndon Taaahn, it was once.

Still a bit vibey at one end I think.

machadinha · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:15

Not sure if the shaved heads thing would apply equally to female mourners btw. I think it might, and as noted depending on locality and precise denomination and whatnot I guess.

Aishah · Jan 3rd, 2008, 08:46

Around Rajasthan you will mainly only see men with shaved heads -in mourning for s close older family member- parent or grandparent. It is very rare to see women in fact I would have to say, never. However, Buddhist women nuns shave their heads, both foreigners and local women, I've seen as Nick mentions on TV the temple in South India (Tirupati?)where everyone shaves their heads. Anyway, if your head is shaved, I wouldn't worry about it - there are so many different ways for hairdos, all over India, no one really notices the hairdo itself!

Nick-H · Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:40

...that's the one, and you'll see quite a few women with shaved heads (woops, I nearly put that another way whichhich could so easily have been misunderstood

) here abouts.

Fionabog · Jan 5th, 2008, 09:38

Well, I've just come back from Mumbai, and reckon I should add my 2 cents worth.

I'm (almost)40, solidly built, and unfortunately VERY average looking. What I DO have is a good mind,and a great ability to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. (The unkind would say I could talk underwater with a mouth full of marbles, which would be true!)

I WAS stared at, that's fine, I didn't find it threatening, I simply stared back. There was never any sense of ill-will, just curiuosity.

I never ever had any hassles, not one. I did notice however, the way that people looked at women not modestly dreassed. I wore t-shirts and loose linen trousers that were about 7/8 length. One day I was out a group of people, and a beautiful young girl from Colombia dressed in a skimpy tank top had been harassed and was quite frightened, and hooked up with all of us for safety.

I suspect that a lot of your reception depends on your own level of self confidence, reliance etc. I NEVER once felt unsafe. I found Mumbai to be much much easier than Indonesia in a lot of ways. I also found it to be dirtier in a lot of ways also, but I really really enjoyed my time there. I'm very very glad that we went!!!

Nick-H · Jan 5th, 2008, 11:38

There have been a number of cases of very serious abuse among New Year's Eve crowds in several cities. Of course this probably means that thousands went unreported.

I think it has to be said now that being on the streets on such occasions is not safe and should be avoided.

The two women who were molested in Mumbai were wearing western dress, but not immodest. It must have been a dreadful and terrifying experience and I guess they won't be returning to India soon.

Even as a man I would avoid most big-crowd situations in India. There is little or no control, and the consequences of one small thing going wrong, or even the rumour of something going wrong, can be disastrous. At least six people died in a crowd stampede at a temple a few days back.

Fionabog · Jan 5th, 2008, 11:55

That's terrible Nick.
I suspect that you're entirely right, about the crowd issue. A mob mentality really does develop.
Thank God for those women that at least the media were there. It may have saved their life!

PLEASE don't think for one second that I was condoning any sexual harrassment on the basis of wearing 'immodest' clothing. I was merely stating the wisdom of wearing 'conservative' clothes in India.
cheers
Fiona

Aishah · Jan 5th, 2008, 15:20

Big-crowd situations - avoid like the plague. Absolutely Nick - be careful going over overhead bridges at railway stations where there is huge mass exodus at the time, wait till crowds diminish.
People also not long ago killed in this manner of crush.
NYE - brings to mind drinking and young men - not a good combination when they are all out together - again to avoid this
sort of thing.
Crowded markets be very careful - I had a bag slashed by small child with razor blade. Keep your handbag etc. firmly to your front.

kalyani68 · Jan 6th, 2008, 03:23

In Southern India, I saw several ladies (and men too) with completely bald heads. No one batted an eye.

The Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh is famous for the number of devotees who offer their hair. My understanding is that in some communities both men and women can offer their hair whereas in others, the men do but the women do not. Even so, no one is required to do it. Its a voluntary sacrifice.

One side note regarding women and clothing, I did a little experiment when I was in South India last month. I wore nothing but sarees for a week. Another week, I wore salwar kameez or a kurti over jeans. Interestingly, I felt I attracted the most curious attention from onlookers when I donned a saree, maybe because its rare to see a Westerner in one, let alone carry it properly and confidently.

the opoponax · Jan 6th, 2008, 06:13

Wow! I have a real question which is actually on topic for the original intent of this thread!

So. Just 2 or 3 weeks ago, I got a nice short pixie-style haircut. Unfortunately, my hair grows so fast that I'll probably need a quick trim in the back at some point while I'm in India.

Do I go to a women's beauty salon to get my boyish haircut trimmed up with clippers, or do I visit a barber shop?

PeakXV · Jan 6th, 2008, 06:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

Do I go to a women's beauty salon to get my boyish haircut trimmed up with clippers, or do I visit a barber shop?

Well if you go to an Indian barber for a boyish haircut - be prepared for the obigatory Indian scalp massage cum barber's rub - it's part of the package wether you ask for it or not.

the opoponax · Jan 6th, 2008, 06:48

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

capt_mahajan · Jan 6th, 2008, 06:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

Do I go to a women's beauty salon to get my boyish haircut trimmed up with clippers, or do I visit a barber shop?

In India, if you are a female, you go to the women's beauty saloon. Even if bald

PeakXV · Jan 6th, 2008, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

- just a warning that's all .....

Suppose to be good for circulation on one hand .... but I doubt a western chiropractor could recommend the turning of the neck 'treatment' that happens. At any rate - I've never been able to escape the 'extra attention' - no matter how much I protested ....

me: "Hey what are you doing - I just came for a haircut"

Barber: "but it's my duty sir"

Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:06	#601
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	It may be somewhere, but it is more likely that, on visiting some pilgrimage temples, it is the custom to give one's hair to god. One TN temple they do this... I forget which. It also may be done as an offerring in support of a request. Camden market area is still full of people with ridiculous hair and piercings. I don't remember Kensington. There used to be a big alternative vibe around the top end of ---damn, hole in brain cell: the Notting Hill antique market street, up under the WestWay (as it was called then. The A40) flyover. <cross-posted with Mach: I didn't know about the mourning thing. Maybe not in my corner of India, or maybe I just never saw it> Errr.... Portabello Road __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:15	#603
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	Not sure if the shaved heads thing would apply equally to female mourners btw. I think it might, and as noted depending on locality and precise denomination and whatnot I guess. __________________ 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

Jan 3rd, 2008, 08:46	#604
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,448	Around Rajasthan you will mainly only see men with shaved heads -in mourning for s close older family member- parent or grandparent. It is very rare to see women in fact I would have to say, never. However, Buddhist women nuns shave their heads, both foreigners and local women, I've seen as Nick mentions on TV the temple in South India (Tirupati?)where everyone shaves their heads. Anyway, if your head is shaved, I wouldn't worry about it - there are so many different ways for hairdos, all over India, no one really notices the hairdo itself! __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Jan 5th, 2008, 09:38	#606
Fionabog Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Renmark, South Australia Posts: 47	Traveling in India as a woman.... Well, I've just come back from Mumbai, and reckon I should add my 2 cents worth. I'm (almost)40, solidly built, and unfortunately VERY average looking. What I DO have is a good mind,and a great ability to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. (The unkind would say I could talk underwater with a mouth full of marbles, which would be true!) I WAS stared at, that's fine, I didn't find it threatening, I simply stared back. There was never any sense of ill-will, just curiuosity. I never ever had any hassles, not one. I did notice however, the way that people looked at women not modestly dreassed. I wore t-shirts and loose linen trousers that were about 7/8 length. One day I was out a group of people, and a beautiful young girl from Colombia dressed in a skimpy tank top had been harassed and was quite frightened, and hooked up with all of us for safety. I suspect that a lot of your reception depends on your own level of self confidence, reliance etc. I NEVER once felt unsafe. I found Mumbai to be much much easier than Indonesia in a lot of ways. I also found it to be dirtier in a lot of ways also, but I really really enjoyed my time there. I'm very very glad that we went!!!

Jan 5th, 2008, 11:55	#608
Fionabog Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Renmark, South Australia Posts: 47	Women molested on NYE That's terrible Nick. I suspect that you're entirely right, about the crowd issue. A mob mentality really does develop. Thank God for those women that at least the media were there. It may have saved their life! PLEASE don't think for one second that I was condoning any sexual harrassment on the basis of wearing 'immodest' clothing. I was merely stating the wisdom of wearing 'conservative' clothes in India. cheers Fiona

Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:13	#602
karuna The cat's mother Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,233	Thanks both. Yeah, Portobello Road ain't what it used to be either. The Chandni Chowk of Old Laaahndon Taaahn, it was once. Still a bit vibey at one end I think.

Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:40	#605
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	...that's the one, and you'll see quite a few women with shaved heads (woops, I nearly put that another way whichhich could so easily have been misunderstood ) here abouts.

Jan 5th, 2008, 11:38	#607
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	There have been a number of cases of very serious abuse among New Year's Eve crowds in several cities. Of course this probably means that thousands went unreported. I think it has to be said now that being on the streets on such occasions is not safe and should be avoided. The two women who were molested in Mumbai were wearing western dress, but not immodest. It must have been a dreadful and terrifying experience and I guess they won't be returning to India soon. Even as a man I would avoid most big-crowd situations in India. There is little or no control, and the consequences of one small thing going wrong, or even the rumour of something going wrong, can be disastrous. At least six people died in a crowd stampede at a temple a few days back.

Jan 5th, 2008, 15:20	#609
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,448	Big-crowd situations - avoid like the plague. Absolutely Nick - be careful going over overhead bridges at railway stations where there is huge mass exodus at the time, wait till crowds diminish. People also not long ago killed in this manner of crush. NYE - brings to mind drinking and young men - not a good combination when they are all out together - again to avoid this sort of thing. Crowded markets be very careful - I had a bag slashed by small child with razor blade. Keep your handbag etc. firmly to your front.

Jan 6th, 2008, 03:23	#610
kalyani68 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 198	In Southern India, I saw several ladies (and men too) with completely bald heads. No one batted an eye. The Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh is famous for the number of devotees who offer their hair. My understanding is that in some communities both men and women can offer their hair whereas in others, the men do but the women do not. Even so, no one is required to do it. Its a voluntary sacrifice. One side note regarding women and clothing, I did a little experiment when I was in South India last month. I wore nothing but sarees for a week. Another week, I wore salwar kameez or a kurti over jeans. Interestingly, I felt I attracted the most curious attention from onlookers when I donned a saree, maybe because its rare to see a Westerner in one, let alone carry it properly and confidently. __________________ My Travel Blog- South India Dec. 2007 www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/wildcat007

Jan 6th, 2008, 06:13	#611
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Wow! I have a real question which is actually on topic for the original intent of this thread! So. Just 2 or 3 weeks ago, I got a nice short pixie-style haircut. Unfortunately, my hair grows so fast that I'll probably need a quick trim in the back at some point while I'm in India. Do I go to a women's beauty salon to get my boyish haircut trimmed up with clippers, or do I visit a barber shop?

Jan 6th, 2008, 06:48	#613
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

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