Western Women Tourists: Safety Reminders in India

If you’re a Western woman traveling to the country of India then it’s important that you prepare yourself to make sure that you vacation goes off without any problems. India is a conservative country that holds traditional respect and courtesy for women, guests and the elderly. Unfortunately, like many countries that find themselves in the throes of modernization, some of these traditions are wearing off.

Harassment of local women has been common and unfortunately, Western female tourists are not safe either. In fact, a large part of the population are under the mistaken belief that Western women generally have loose morals, thanks to portrayals of Western women in the media, the difference in clothing styles as well as contact with rude and ignorant Western male tourists. Even though India is generally a hospitable country, you need to keep this in mind so you can avoid trouble.

The best thing you can do is to prevent a situation from occurring in the first place. Women in India, as a rule, do not get too close to men. When introducing yourself, get your hands into a prayer position while greeting “Namaste” instead of shaking hands. Avoid sitting close to males and refrain from talking to male strangers, even if it’s just to ask for directions.