Should I Travel India Alone or With Best Friend ???

steven_ber · Jun 17th, 2008, 01:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj_s

And steven_ber, that video link about Indian railways was fantastic

What video link?

"Steam engines stripped bare, the X-rated version"?

raj_s · Jun 17th, 2008, 02:42

Do you have a favorite YouTube?

Was just browsing previos threads

wonderwomanusa · Jun 17th, 2008, 06:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedkandi

Hi,

I need advice. Should I travel India alone or with a best friend?

Do you have a friend who has already expressed interest in going to India? Or are you thinking of talking someone into going with you?

If your friend doesn't have any desire to visit India, do them a favor and don't ask them to go along with you.

India can be very hard on relationships. You may think you know a person very well, but you really do not know how you, or they will react to things that you may never encounter in your own country.

If you think you'll be lonely, it's easy enough to meet like-minded people who want to see some of the same places you want to go ... so maybe it's best to wait until you get here and then find a companion. At least then, if they don't like India, they won't blame YOU for it!

Cardamom · Jun 17th, 2008, 08:20

Traveling with "friends" has always been a disaster for me about 90% of the time - even to places like Italy or Denmark where it's not such a crazy culture shock. It brings out the best and the worst in people. I think it depends upon your level of friendship and intimacy. It can get ugly

-C

grikoo · Jun 17th, 2008, 22:14

So clearly there is a common theme in our responses-

That travelling to India with a friend may be hazardous to your friendship.

I suggest if you do want to travel with a friend, that you discuss the matter beforehand, particularly the no-blaming part, perhaps sign an oath in blood that neither of you will hold each other responsible for problems, etc.

caz_a · Jun 22nd, 2008, 00:43

when i decided i wanted to go to india in the early 90s, i put a few feelers out with friends and no-one wanted to go/could afford it/had the time. I finally decided that if i waited for anyone else i would never go ...so i went alone. i arrived in delhi at 3am with no reservation and no particular plans, stayed for a year and had the time of my life!
i met loads of people, made loads of friends and travelled with different people at different times. i would highly recommend this!! - you are free to go your separate ways if the mood takes either of you and you have no pressure to stay with someone. there were a few times when i felt a bit lonesome on my ownsome if i went off the beaten track, but its easy enough to find some company: just head to the nearest traveller hang-out.

the following year i went with my boyfriend and hardly met anyone! i had a MUCH better time alone!!

so, I would say - by all means go with a friend, but you both need to be prepared to split up, if only for a few days at a time.
*definitely* don't go with anyone clingy or whiny! (india can bring out the worst in people!)

having said that, i am just about to go for 5 weeks with my daughter ... FIVE weeks, 24/7 with an adolescent girl who i definitely can't lose at a chai stop

...i must be totally barking mad

zoltan · Jun 22nd, 2008, 05:59

My friends daughter in law went there with a girlfriend, expecting to have a great time.

The girlfriend decided to do her own thing and agreed to meet back at the hotel a week later (she decided to go out of the city & do her own thing). The daughter in law had no idea what to do and so waited for the "friend" to turn up again.

My suggestion to you is have alternate plans in place.

If things go sour or you just need space, then agree to meet up at the next point on the itinerary or, at the airport on the day of departure.

Make sure that if this happens (ie. you decide to separate), that you still keep in contact via e-mail or mobile phone, in case of problems arising.

Cheers
Zoltan

Sama · Jul 18th, 2008, 23:34

your best friend might not be your best friend after India....

they might not be into monkey brains and the kama sutra....

puchoo · Jul 19th, 2008, 13:08

Whose name wouldn't be Pete by any chance right..?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Go without the friend.

For the friend's sake.

dzibead · Jul 19th, 2008, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by puchoo

Whose name could not be Pete by any chance right..?

Or, in this case, maybe "pity".

capt_mahajan · Jul 19th, 2008, 13:52

For Pete's sake! Who revived this thread

Jun 22nd, 2008, 05:59	#22
zoltan Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 877	My friends daughter in law went there with a girlfriend, expecting to have a great time. The girlfriend decided to do her own thing and agreed to meet back at the hotel a week later (she decided to go out of the city & do her own thing). The daughter in law had no idea what to do and so waited for the "friend" to turn up again. My suggestion to you is have alternate plans in place. If things go sour or you just need space, then agree to meet up at the next point on the itinerary or, at the airport on the day of departure. Make sure that if this happens (ie. you decide to separate), that you still keep in contact via e-mail or mobile phone, in case of problems arising. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

Jul 18th, 2008, 23:34	#23
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,545	your best friend might not be your best friend after India.... they might not be into monkey brains and the kama sutra.... __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* sama: Pali/Sanskrit: that state of consciousness which reflects neither attachment nor aversion

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Jun 17th, 2008, 02:42	#17
raj_s Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: new delhi Posts: 84	Do you have a favorite YouTube? Was just browsing previos threads

Jun 17th, 2008, 08:20	#19
Cardamom Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 324	Traveling with "friends" has always been a disaster for me about 90% of the time - even to places like Italy or Denmark where it's not such a crazy culture shock. It brings out the best and the worst in people. I think it depends upon your level of friendship and intimacy. It can get ugly -C

Jun 17th, 2008, 22:14	#20
grikoo Disclaimer- He who knows not what he speaks of Join Date: May 2008 Location: Here Posts: 463	So clearly there is a common theme in our responses- That travelling to India with a friend may be hazardous to your friendship. I suggest if you do want to travel with a friend, that you discuss the matter beforehand, particularly the no-blaming part, perhaps sign an oath in blood that neither of you will hold each other responsible for problems, etc.

Jun 22nd, 2008, 00:43	#21
caz_a Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: london Posts: 58	when i decided i wanted to go to india in the early 90s, i put a few feelers out with friends and no-one wanted to go/could afford it/had the time. I finally decided that if i waited for anyone else i would never go ...so i went alone. i arrived in delhi at 3am with no reservation and no particular plans, stayed for a year and had the time of my life! i met loads of people, made loads of friends and travelled with different people at different times. i would highly recommend this!! - you are free to go your separate ways if the mood takes either of you and you have no pressure to stay with someone. there were a few times when i felt a bit lonesome on my ownsome if i went off the beaten track, but its easy enough to find some company: just head to the nearest traveller hang-out. the following year i went with my boyfriend and hardly met anyone! i had a MUCH better time alone!! so, I would say - by all means go with a friend, but you both need to be prepared to split up, if only for a few days at a time. definitely don't go with anyone clingy or whiny! (india can bring out the worst in people!) having said that, i am just about to go for 5 weeks with my daughter ... FIVE weeks, 24/7 with an adolescent girl who i definitely can't lose at a chai stop ...i must be totally barking mad

Jul 19th, 2008, 13:52	#26
capt_mahajan Dis member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,876	For Pete's sake! Who revived this thread

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