How to make Friends in India

seventies'hippy · Mar 12th, 2005, 17:38

So, Following on from the recent topics about alone in Paharganj & scared to leave the safety of your hotel etc.
What do you do, How do you meet people,
Has anyone any tips to help people meet people,,,,,,,,,,

I find you've just got to talk, ie ask someone a question, It dosn't really really matter what it is as far as it's relevant to the place you're at, Like do you know where I can get a good whatever,,,,, or do you know the best way to get to,,,,,,,,,,

Once you've broken the ice you'll find that people are friendly and want to talk about their experiences and most probably were hoping that someone like you would come along and ask them something.

Happy Travelling

machadinha · Mar 12th, 2005, 18:11

Hmm as has been noted on the other threads you mentioned making friends in Paharganj can be a real bitch though. Most of the Indians you meet will want to make some money off of you, most of the westerners will be of the heavy-duty tattooed more-street-than-thou variety, if you haven't been touring SE Asia for the last couple of years on a pound and a half you're not really worth a glance. So it can be a little tough there especially if it's your first time. I don't know, just take it easy there, enjoy your pepsi and tea and find a nice Indian eatery and plan your next stop. I generally found the more unpretentious little backpacker folks more easy to get in touch with and more interesting to speak to, this is true wherever you go in India (or in the world for that matter).

LuAnnandJawahar · Mar 12th, 2005, 21:41

Hotels with nice communal areas, whether it is a restaurant or a nice garden, are the best places to connect with fellow travelers. And as seventie' hippy says, the best way to break the ice is to ask someone a question. Somebody's got to speak first, it might as well be you.

Dr Funkenstein · Mar 12th, 2005, 23:03

NIT's right - if your guesthouse has somewhere to socialise, you won't have a problem. If your love of a beer means that rarely a day goes by without you ending up in a bar at some point you shouldn't have a problem, either.

davey · Mar 13th, 2005, 05:21

I wore my Australian cricket jumper in delhi and Mumbai, it broke a lot of ice, another way was when Indians asked " where are you from?" I just replied, Ricky Ponting" cricket is the great ice breaker in India.

ericd · Mar 13th, 2005, 05:29

Hmm, strange question :-)

I really haven't thought about "how to make friends", I just walk around and things do happen ... I've met people when checking in in guesthouses, when visiting temples, while sitting on the bus, when I was visiting a mosque, I became friends with a rikshaw driver after I met him a few times ...

I guess there is not really a tactic, things just happen

edwardseco · Mar 13th, 2005, 06:40

Get off the tourist circuit and its hard not to. Get out your notebook and practice writing Devanagari, etc. and it is impossible not to..

Indojingai · Mar 15th, 2005, 13:32

Speaking for cities or urban areas..

- Those who come to you near airports, rail stations, taxi places, restaurants etc... will mainly be after your $ or euro or whatever currency you use. They are not friends to make.
- If someone approches you or you go to someone, try if they can be of the educated variety. A look at their dressup will be a clue.
- Younger people will generally be better at breaking the ice quicker and respond to you well.
- You'll catch a lot of people looking straight at you (also called staring

... even the well educated, well dressed types.. of those who you wanna talk with.. look back at them and point to a chair near you in a general open place. Unless they turn around and go, they'll start a converstaion with you. Most likely starting with 'where are you from'..
- And inside hotel lobbies, train compartments.. where usually americans feel lack of personal space.. you dont even have to try...

himadventures · Mar 15th, 2005, 16:24

After reading all my friends...

I think almost everyone is correct and true but basic remains basic...

1. Someone has to start the conversation and it depends on you how you choose a person to talk to .

1. Yes..avoid railway station,bus stands,airports and all thos eplaces where you are a walking dollar !

Mar 12th, 2005, 17:38	#1
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	How to make Friends in India So, Following on from the recent topics about alone in Paharganj & scared to leave the safety of your hotel etc. What do you do, How do you meet people, Has anyone any tips to help people meet people,,,,,,,,,, I find you've just got to talk, ie ask someone a question, It dosn't really really matter what it is as far as it's relevant to the place you're at, Like do you know where I can get a good whatever,,,,, or do you know the best way to get to,,,,,,,,,, Once you've broken the ice you'll find that people are friendly and want to talk about their experiences and most probably were hoping that someone like you would come along and ask them something. Happy Travelling __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

Mar 12th, 2005, 18:11	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,521	Hmm as has been noted on the other threads you mentioned making friends in Paharganj can be a real bitch though. Most of the Indians you meet will want to make some money off of you, most of the westerners will be of the heavy-duty tattooed more-street-than-thou variety, if you haven't been touring SE Asia for the last couple of years on a pound and a half you're not really worth a glance. So it can be a little tough there especially if it's your first time. I don't know, just take it easy there, enjoy your pepsi and tea and find a nice Indian eatery and plan your next stop. I generally found the more unpretentious little backpacker folks more easy to get in touch with and more interesting to speak to, this is true wherever you go in India (or in the world for that matter). __________________ 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

Mar 12th, 2005, 21:41	#3
LuAnnandJawahar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delhi/U.S. Posts: 663	Hotels with nice communal areas, whether it is a restaurant or a nice garden, are the best places to connect with fellow travelers. And as seventie' hippy says, the best way to break the ice is to ask someone a question. Somebody's got to speak first, it might as well be you. __________________ Reject violence.

Mar 12th, 2005, 23:03	#4
Dr Funkenstein Joolay !!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh Posts: 854	NIT's right - if your guesthouse has somewhere to socialise, you won't have a problem. If your love of a beer means that rarely a day goes by without you ending up in a bar at some point you shouldn't have a problem, either. __________________ Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

Mar 15th, 2005, 13:32	#8
Indojingai One in a billion member. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 987	Speaking for cities or urban areas.. - Those who come to you near airports, rail stations, taxi places, restaurants etc... will mainly be after your $ or euro or whatever currency you use. They are not friends to make. - If someone approches you or you go to someone, try if they can be of the educated variety. A look at their dressup will be a clue. - Younger people will generally be better at breaking the ice quicker and respond to you well. - You'll catch a lot of people looking straight at you (also called staring ... even the well educated, well dressed types.. of those who you wanna talk with.. look back at them and point to a chair near you in a general open place. Unless they turn around and go, they'll start a converstaion with you. Most likely starting with 'where are you from'.. - And inside hotel lobbies, train compartments.. where usually americans feel lack of personal space.. you dont even have to try... __________________ I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.

Mar 13th, 2005, 05:21	#5
davey Grumpy Old fart Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia (Buderim) Posts: 536	I wore my Australian cricket jumper in delhi and Mumbai, it broke a lot of ice, another way was when Indians asked " where are you from?" I just replied, Ricky Ponting" cricket is the great ice breaker in India.

Mar 13th, 2005, 05:29	#6
ericd Travel addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 46	Hmm, strange question :-) I really haven't thought about "how to make friends", I just walk around and things do happen ... I've met people when checking in in guesthouses, when visiting temples, while sitting on the bus, when I was visiting a mosque, I became friends with a rikshaw driver after I met him a few times ... I guess there is not really a tactic, things just happen

Mar 13th, 2005, 06:40	#7
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,911	Get off the tourist circuit and its hard not to. Get out your notebook and practice writing Devanagari, etc. and it is impossible not to..

Mar 15th, 2005, 16:24	#9
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,070	Making Friends in India After reading all my friends... I think almost everyone is correct and true but basic remains basic... 1. Someone has to start the conversation and it depends on you how you choose a person to talk to . 1. Yes..avoid railway station,bus stands,airports and all thos eplaces where you are a walking dollar !

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