India leaves no one indifferent. Someone gets the most vivid impressions, someone is disappointed. This country is woven from the contrasts that a stormy waterfall falls upon tourists. Impressions are impressions, but in order not to get into unpleasant situations, you need to know what is prohibited in India. Such information is important in any country. Compliance with laws and respect for other people's traditions is the norm for a civilized person.
Tourist in the resort area
Arriving in the resort area, the tourist may actually not think about what is prohibited in India. Whole districts have been created in India to make guests relaxing unforgettable and comfortable. The most famous resort district is Goa. There is a vacation for every taste and budget. The southern part is built up with luxury hotels, the northern part is given to the "savages". Here you can walk in open clothes, sunbathe topless, have fun noisily and drink alcohol. But on the way out of the resort area, the "freemen" ends. And as you move away from the coast, you need to adhere to local rules more strictly and more strictly.
How to dress?
Indian women wear traditional clothing covering their shoulders, arms and hair. Walking the streets with bare feet in India is prohibited. Loose hair and an uncovered head are also prohibited. Gather hair in a ponytail or bun, wear scarves. Shorts and short sundresses should be packed in a suitcase. On the street, appear in loose light trousers, tunics or long dresses.
Men should not wear shorts either. The local population even disapproves of rolled-up trousers.
Behavior
Despite the fact that merchants and various barkers revolve around tourists in a noisy, intrusive crowd, it is not customary in the country to openly express feelings and emotions. When asking a question, you can not raise your voice. The Hindu simply will not listen, but will leave.
Conflict with the local population is meaningless. If you complain and call the police, you will likely have to pay a fine. The police take the side of a compatriot.
Men in India are prohibited from talking to strangers. In no case should you touch them with your hands or take pictures without their consent. Touching is generally a separate issue. On the street, you canāt just hug, just walk holding hands. And if you touch the Hindu with your left hand, it does not matter, man or woman, it will be regarded as an insult. They donāt touch food with their left hand, donāt give gifts, donāt pay for goods. According to the Indians, this hand is intended only for personal hygiene.
A woman should enter any religious building with her head covered. In addition, shoes must be removed before entering. Usually the shoes are guarded. At the exit, the guard needs to be given a small coin. And do not bring leather bags and accessories with you. This will be regarded as disrespect for the shrine, since your things could be made of cow skin.
Indian laws prohibit drinking alcohol in public places. Tourists can be fined for this. Moreover, a woman can be fined for the fact that she entered the store selling alcohol.
In India, do not be aggressive towards animals. According to local laws, you will be fined. Shouting or pushing a cow off the road is a crime. So be patient and wait. There is no other way. If you hit a cow with a car, you can get a real prison term.
Local etiquette
In India, do not try to shake hands, this desire will be perceived negatively. To say hello, you need to fold your palms and press their chin.
During communication, you can not rest your foot on the heel, unrolling the sole of the shoe in the direction of the interlocutor. This trifle will also be considered a manifestation of disrespect.
Be considerate in dealing with children. If you pat the child on the head and look him in the eye, then the parents will consider that you are spoiling him.
When visiting, do not give the owners white flowers. In India, a white bouquet is appropriate only at a funeral. Wrap presentations in red or yellow paper. This symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
What were they thinking?
Some laws in India can trigger a fit of uncontrollable laughter. It is difficult to tell the tourist how to observe them, since you need to have a very rich imagination. Imagine that an Indian does not have the right to die without washing the dishes. But these are still flowers! In India it is forbidden to eat ice cream by mouth. Maybe, of course, a mistake crept in when translating the law, but there is something to think about.
By the way, you canāt die with a policeman in your mouth either. So, if you decide to bite a policeman, evaluate your well-being, or else inadvertently break the law.
And finally, remember, in India it is forbidden to talk with elephants on political topics. So do not torture poor animals, do not bother them with politics.
If you decide to step back from the tourist routes and get to know the country better, you should be prepared to see poverty, unsanitary conditions and crime. Hindus are not evil by nature, but they live in such conditions that it becomes scary for this country. Be careful and take care of yourself, then your journey will end safely.