LOCKED UP in room.

Joph

Facing a next trip to India, I like to share this issue.
It happened twice to me on my last trip, that I was locked up, in my room (in different guest houses).


Most questhouse-rooms are locked with a padlock. It means that once you are in, you can be locked up from the outsite, just by somebody who closes the clasp for some reason. Once it happened while I was renting a small room in a high building with bars for the window. It took at least 10 minutes before somebody responded on me furiously slamming on the door. So it crossed my mind that I would have been trapped in case of a fire.

Any similar experiences?

Joph,

Wanderer22

You could always leave your lock attached so that the hasp can't be closed over it locking you inside.

Never had a problem with this but did have the room power turned off from out side. Assumed it was a power failure and suffered in silence while waiting for power to be restored. Sure missed the fan ..

W22

catpat123

It happened to us a couple of New Years Eves ago - presumably someone thought it was funny. A lot of banging on the door brought the people next door to our rescue and they let us out. Some locks do enable you to lock the bolt so that it cannot be moved across while you are inside your room but not all are like that.

I was also concerned about being locked in if there was a fire.

Sadhu

I actually got locked in my room at Anoops last month. Fortunately the window opened onto the hall, so I could reach through and let myself out.

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Nick-H

Don't leave the lock on the outside?

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machadinha

... Great story.

No, never happened to me (but indeed, better not to leave the padlock on the outside). Reminds me of something else to think of though: Arrive in town a little groggy after lengthy train ride. Seek out hotel, stash gear in room, go out for lunch. Take a few left and right turns; think oh $%^ what was that place called at all, and where is it (and my undies).

I since ask for their card before I do anything else as a rule of thumb.

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Nick-H

Me too!

Even if you can remember what the place is called, pronouncing it is yet another hurdle

SitaParityaga

Yes, Joph....the memories came flooding back! Although not in a guest house.....

#1. Locked in a shack with a bathtub, with natural hot spring water, outside of Mumbai..wonderful place, but hey, they locked me in. Never knew why, presumed it was for my safety?!! Freaked me out just the same

#2 Locked into the second story of a building overlooking the bull races in Allanganalur, TN. Tourist buses would fill up with travelers from Madurai, they would all be asked to "stay" inside this place (they locked a gate behind you) with seats overlooking the start of the bull race. No way to get out when enough was enough of the races, except to feign illness and point at the lock.

Brisso

Locked in by the houseboys in one or two places - they pick on new tourists who are often grateful and give a tip!

I stuff paper in the hole so the bolt can't slide fully across

machadinha

<cross-posted with Brisso>

btw In case of fire and with those generally flimsy doors, I guess in case of emergency some good old physical force might help? ... Hmm, thinking now of one cell-like room with a steel door I stayed in though. Yes, better make sure that lock is blocked.

Khandoma

Never locked up in rooms yet, but locked up in a bathroom once.

Walked out of the shower, grabbed a towel, turned the door handle, and contemplated said handle as it detached itself from the door and fell into my hand.

Now what would you like best, sleeping the night in the shower or being discovered in a very limited - not to mention wet - attire by a hotel attendant ?

I opted for 'none of the above'. But had no tools at hand. After futile attempts involving most of my toiletries, I remembered the wire handle of the water bucket. I dislodged the handle, shaped it around my toothbrush and felt like a regular McGyver when the lock finally moved.

Had I gotten locked in my hotel room from the outside, I'd have used my handbag alarm to call for help. But I can't carry a set of burglar tools in my beauty case just on the off-chance I'll get locked again in a bathroom, can I ? What would you have done in my place ?

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karuna

Khandoma you should compile a book of your India-related bathroom disasters!

kristinm

Handbag alarm?? Don't tell me there's a gadget that I've overlooked!!!!!

Spirit of Havelock

In Calcutta, I noticed that my flat could be bolted shut from the outside. I told me sister-in-law that some kid in the building would lock us in for a laugh. Especially considering that there was a white guy here. Sure enough, about 10 days later we had to call the building caretaker to come free us! The bolt was altered so that it could also be padlocked open - as well as padlocked closed.

The above bathroom story reminds me of a place I stayed at in Vijayawada in 1999 - and I actually do wish that I had been locked in on that occasion. My box-like room had two identical (I do mean IDENTICAL) doors, oppst each other. One for the main hall of the hotel, one to the bathroom. At about 7 in the morning I dragged myself out of bed, bollock naked, and staggered towards what I thought was the bathroom door - I think you can imagine what happened.

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Tapestry

I find these doors that can be bolted and padlocked from the outside (while you're inside) really disturbing. I'm always surprised that more mischevious kids don't lock people in their houses. I've since had all my locks changed to the kind that can't lock me inside and I do padlock the bolts open while I'm inside so the bolts can't be tampered with. I've also bought a fire extinguisher for the house, which people thought was crazy, because not only can you be locked inside your house, but this electrical wiring is some sh*t!

Oh, also, the theives know very well how to open these doors even while they're padlocked. It only takes a hammer to slightly change the shape of the contraption so the bolt and padlock together can still be slid aside and the door can be opened. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way!