Staying with indian family - what to expect ?

carlynweb · Jun 2nd, 2008, 23:24

Hi
I am really excited about this trip to India (though i had backed off before when i planned it with two of my friends last year)
I don't know what to expect. I have read so much about the country but being a girl i am somewhat nervous although there is no reason to be as everything has been planned.
My friend who is married to an Indian guy got somebody (cousin) to help us on this trip and maybe stay with the family for a day or two (thats why nervous)
But still it would help if i could get some advice from somebody who have actually stayed with an indian family

brishti · Jun 2nd, 2008, 23:41

very important question carly: which city/town does the family live in?
even though the metro's seem amorphous - there are cultural differences... no matter how modern they may seem.

and hey - great to have you on board - welcome to IM

:brishti

Nick-H · Jun 2nd, 2008, 23:58

Quote:

My friend who is married to an Indian guy got somebody (cousin) to help us on this trip and maybe stay with the family for a day or two (thats why nervous)

You have to ask them, as they know the people.

Not only what city, but what religion, how religious/orthodox, how modern, how westernised, how traditional.

"an Indian family" is probably a millions times more variable than "an American family"!

But welcome to the site! Hope you find lots of useful stuff here, including maybe a taste of culture that might give you an idea what you're in for!

carlynweb · Jun 3rd, 2008, 00:10

hi brishti
Oh I am sorry I forget to mention that they stay in new delhi.
Two of my friends who visited India last year stayed with them and they are still in touch with them.
Actually I had dropped the idea of visiting India and had different plans but after listening to my friend's exp. I got myself thinking of this visit at least once.
To avoid any getting in any embarassing situation I just want to be well informed.

shashank.aggarwal · Jun 3rd, 2008, 00:17

Hey Carly, Nice to know that you are coming to Delhi, do get in touch. IM Delhi gang loves to meet and greet fellow IM visitors.

Coming to the topic, as you have said couple of your friends have already stayed with the family, did you talk to those guys, do they have some advice to share ?

edwardseco · Jun 3rd, 2008, 11:07

Nick has put it well. it can get very intense but for a couple days I want to reassure you it won't. I have done this about a couple of years with two families with some of my most indelible memories as well as dozens of shorter stays. Just pick up some cultural tips like taking shoes off on entry and being sensitive about entry into kitchen. Still, there is so much variation! One household I was ordered into the kitchen to wash dishes as it was a Communist household. Another the matron insisted I learn to make a chappati. If someday I meet St. Peter and as a condition of entry I have to show how to make a chappati my goose is cooked. I think the OP will have a great time. I know I have. Don't forget to not stuff up the plumbing with toilet paper. You only get to do that if your mother in law has given you the nickname, baby..

Jun 2nd, 2008, 23:24	#1
carlynweb Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: u.s.a Posts: 2	Staying with indian family - what to expect ? Hi I am really excited about this trip to India (though i had backed off before when i planned it with two of my friends last year) I don't know what to expect. I have read so much about the country but being a girl i am somewhat nervous although there is no reason to be as everything has been planned. My friend who is married to an Indian guy got somebody (cousin) to help us on this trip and maybe stay with the family for a day or two (thats why nervous) But still it would help if i could get some advice from somebody who have actually stayed with an indian family

Jun 3rd, 2008, 00:17	#5
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,785	Hey Carly, Nice to know that you are coming to Delhi, do get in touch. IM Delhi gang loves to meet and greet fellow IM visitors. Coming to the topic, as you have said couple of your friends have already stayed with the family, did you talk to those guys, do they have some advice to share ? __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

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Jun 2nd, 2008, 23:41	#2
brishti just another member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 2,265	very important question carly: which city/town does the family live in? even though the metro's seem amorphous - there are cultural differences... no matter how modern they may seem. and hey - great to have you on board - welcome to IM :brishti

Jun 3rd, 2008, 00:10	#4
carlynweb Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: u.s.a Posts: 2	hi brishti Oh I am sorry I forget to mention that they stay in new delhi. Two of my friends who visited India last year stayed with them and they are still in touch with them. Actually I had dropped the idea of visiting India and had different plans but after listening to my friend's exp. I got myself thinking of this visit at least once. To avoid any getting in any embarassing situation I just want to be well informed.

Jun 3rd, 2008, 11:07	#6
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,235	Nick has put it well. it can get very intense but for a couple days I want to reassure you it won't. I have done this about a couple of years with two families with some of my most indelible memories as well as dozens of shorter stays. Just pick up some cultural tips like taking shoes off on entry and being sensitive about entry into kitchen. Still, there is so much variation! One household I was ordered into the kitchen to wash dishes as it was a Communist household. Another the matron insisted I learn to make a chappati. If someday I meet St. Peter and as a condition of entry I have to show how to make a chappati my goose is cooked. I think the OP will have a great time. I know I have. Don't forget to not stuff up the plumbing with toilet paper. You only get to do that if your mother in law has given you the nickname, baby..

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