10 Cultural Tips You Need to Be Aware of Before Traveling to India

There are some traditions that have not gotten lost in time and are still respected. Every country and culture is different from one another, and India is a great example of this. People behave, eat, and even dress differently. They have their own traditions and customs, and as tourists, these need to be honored. And this is exactly what we’d like to bring forth in this article.

We at Bright Side have been mesmerized by the uniqueness of Indian culture, so we’d like to share with you a few useful tips to make the most out of your trip.

1. You must not touch books or instruments with your feet.

In India, children are taught from a young age that books are knowledge. They even have a Goddess of Learning, Saraswati. Therefore, touching books with one’s feet or even kicking a school bag full of notebooks or books is considered disrespectful.

Any instrument that is used to develop one’s knowledge is also considered very important and must not be touched by the feet. Even pens and pencils are important, according to Indian culture, and must be respected as such.

2. Don’t be afraid to explore Indian street food.

Exploring foreign cuisine is generally very important when visiting other countries, and sometimes the best food around is the kind made at that small corner vendor. And Indian food is no exception, as it’s one of the richest cuisines out there. It’s a must-try for sure. Just watch out for that extra-spicy food!

As with any street food experience, you must be careful. Seek fresh food, avoid milk products as they can sometimes be spoiled, avoid ice or water that was not heated well (definitely try to avoid tap water), and generally look forward to trying clean (and busy) vendors.

3. Don’t be too polite.

Saying “please” and “thank you” is normal and respectful for us, like at a restaurant or a shop. However, in India, when used too much, you can come across as rude or impolite. Who would’ve thought, right?

When it comes to friends and family, traditional ways of showing appreciation can sometimes create tension or express a level of formality that should not exist. Instead of saying “thank you,” you can try saying “I appreciate it.”

4. Only use your right hand when giving or taking anything.

Many cultures have actually adopted this practice. In many cultures, the right hand is considered pure and even lucky! In India, it is believed that the left hand is impure, as it is used for cleaning shoes, feet, and generally dirty work. So when it comes to food, drinks, and handing objects to other people, we must always use the right hand to show respect.

5. Do not point your finger.

Usually, we use our pointer finger to give directions at a restaurant or generally when referring to something in particular. But this is definitely not the case in India.

Pointing your finger at an object or place is considered rude and impolite. If you wish to give directions or point out something to someone, you must do so by using your whole palm or your thumb. This way, it’s more gentle and polite.

6. Expect to use cash only.

If you’re visiting a small town in India, you should expect to pay with cash most of the time. While in the bigger cities, malls, restaurants, and shops, credit or debit cards may be accepted, they are still rare, and the smaller cities make use of cash. So it would be smart to keep some cash with you, just in case.

7. Not everyone is going to speak English.

Of course, you might be lucky enough to be able to use English inside bigger cities, restaurants, hotels, or certain shops, however, this is not the case for smaller villages. Here, you should expect people to use their native language, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Spending time among foreign people and hearing their native language might actually do you some good. You can pick up a new language, getting to know a new culture.

8. Learn about and use traditional greetings.

Respect is required everywhere you go in the world, and India is no exception. You can show your respect for the country and its people by learning about their culture and traditional greetings. One such greeting that is used in a general manner is “namaste.” You can put your palms together and bow to show respect while saying namaste, or, if you’d like to be more formal, you can use “namaskar.”

As English has become more globalized, “hello’’ is also used, especially among tourists and foreigners. Just know that “goodbye” is usually not used, as it implies you won’t be seeing each other anymore, or that you are asking for permission to leave.

9. Don’t use public displays of affection.

Public display of affection is generally looked down upon as it is quite a private thing. However, in India, you must not show affection in public. When you visit a new or foreign country, you might want to blend in with other people so as to not get unwanted stares. This is one of those things you must do.

Try and avoid holding hands or using overly affectionate gestures in public, as it is frowned upon. You can even spend time in jail!

10. Know that in small towns, you must wear decent clothes.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when coming to India is the way you present yourself. As a quite conservative country, it’s good to respect its culture and people, and you can start with your clothes. Even if it’s hot outside, try and cover yourself. This way, you can pay your respects to the country, and also make yourself look like a local.

If you’re visiting a particular attraction, it’s important to wrap a scarf around your head to show respect and politeness.

Have you ever traveled to India? Which aspect of Indian culture intrigues you the most?

A Stranger’s Note on My Husband’s Car Made Me Call My Lawyer

A Stranger’s Note on My Husband’s Car Made Me Call My Lawyer

When Sierra is in mom-mode, trying to get her kids off to school, she finds a sticky note on her husband’s car that makes her question where he had been the entire weekend. Wanting answers, she phones the number on the note and slowly, secrets unravel with her marriage.

It was a typical Monday morning. I was in my mom zone, trying to get the kids off to school on time. That’s when a piece of pink paper changed everything.

A close-up of smiling children | Pexels

A close-up of smiling children | Pexels

I had just put the kids into the car and was about to put their lunch bags and backpacks in with them when I saw the bright pink sticky note plastered on the trunk of my husband’s car.

I paused, my heart pounding, and walked over to read it.

A pink sticky note on a car | Source: Midjourney

A pink sticky note on a car | Source: Midjourney

“Sit tight,” I told the kids. “I’m coming now! I just want to see what’s on Dad’s car.”

“Okay, Mom,” Natasha shouted from the backseat.

Children sitting in a car | Source: Midjourney

Children sitting in a car | Source: Midjourney

Sorry, I scratched your car last night. You shouldn’t park on the street though! -Neighbor from 283. This is my number in case you need anything!

Confusion and nausea washed over me. We don’t live near a house with that number, and my husband, Thomas, always parked in our garage.

A woman reading a sticky note | Source: Midjourney

A woman reading a sticky note | Source: Midjourney

“What was it?” my daughter asked when I slid into the driver’s seat.

“Nothing, honey,” I said. “Just a piece of paper that got stuck on Dad’s car.”

A woman in the driver's seat | Source: Unsplash

A woman in the driver’s seat | Source: Unsplash

Tom had just returned from a business trip this morning, so his car should have been parked at the airport the entire weekend.

My mind raced, and a sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

I knew that something was about to change.

A man wearing a suit | Source: Unsplash

A man wearing a suit | Source: Unsplash

“Enjoy your day, babies!” I said as the kids got out of the car at drop-off.

“Don’t forget, we have to make cookies for school tomorrow,” Natasha reminded me. “We need like sixty cookies, Mom.”

I left the kids and drove to the grocery store, needing to get everything for the cookies that we needed to bake.

An aisle in a grocery store | Source: Midjourney

An aisle in a grocery store | Source: Midjourney

“Can I help you, ma’am?” a young woman asked me as I walked up and down the baking aisle. She tied the grocery store’s apron tightly onto her.

“No, thank you,” I said absentmindedly. “I’m just browsing.”

A person tying an apron | Source: Pexels

A person tying an apron | Source: Pexels

But my mind just couldn’t stay focused at all. What was Thomas playing at?

I filled up the cart as I went up and down the aisle, getting enough ingredients for everything we needed and then paid.

Then, I decided to call Thomas and just check in.

A woman holding a phone and a card | Source: Pexels

A woman holding a phone and a card | Source: Pexels

“Hi, honey,” I said the moment he picked up.

“Hey, Sierra,” he said. “Are you okay? I’m just getting into a meeting now. I’ll speak to you later.”

And he cut the call.

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

“What on earth is going on?” I said aloud as I picked up gummy worms for Jake, my son.

Later, I picked up the kids and made toasted sandwiches while Natasha and I baked for her class.

A child holding a plate of toast | Source: Pexels

A child holding a plate of toast | Source: Pexels

“Is everything okay, Mom?” Natasha asked, mixing in the chocolate chips. “You’re not helping Jake with homework.”

“Everything is fine,” I said, turning my focus back to my children.

Chocolate chips in a container | Source: Pexels

Chocolate chips in a container | Source: Pexels

But still, my mind raced and I couldn’t shut it off. I was distracted and unable to stop the conspiracies that plagued my mind.

That evening, after tucking the kids into bed, I dialed the number on the note. The phone rang twice before a cheerful voice answered.

A little girl tucked in bed | Source: Pexels

A little girl tucked in bed | Source: Pexels

“Hello, is this house 283?” I asked, nervously.

“Yes!” the woman said. “Who am I speaking to?”

“Sierra,” I said. “I’m sorry, but I found your note on my husband’s car this morning. Can you tell me more about the incident?”

A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels

A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels

There was a brief pause.

“Oh, yes, I’m Jane. I’m really sorry about that. I accidentally scratched his car when I was parking last night. I live at 283 Elm Street. Are you new to the neighborhood?”

My heart pounded.

“No, no,” I said. “I’m sure Thomas was just visiting a friend. Don’t worry about the scratch, I saw the car. It’s all good!”

A parked car | Source: Pexels

A parked car | Source: Pexels

“Oh, are you sure?” she asked. “I’m sure that the insurance will cover it.”

“I’m sure,” I said, turning to look out the window. “But can you tell me where exactly he was parked?”

There was silence for a moment.

When Jane spoke, her voice was softer.

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Pixabay

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Pixabay

“He was parked right outside my house. There’s a small park across the street, and next to it, is a woman’s house. I’m sorry,” she said.

“Thank you, Jane,” I said.

I hung up, my mind reeling. Thomas had lied to me. He wasn’t on a business trip. He hadn’t even left the car at the airport.

A house with a garden | Source: Midjourney

A house with a garden | Source: Midjourney

Instead, he was at some woman’s house.

I didn’t want to confront my husband yet. I needed proof first. So, I got into bed beside him and forced myself to fall asleep.

A woman sleeping in bed | Source: Unsplash

A woman sleeping in bed | Source: Unsplash

The next morning, I gave the kids cereal for breakfast while trying to decide my next move.

After dropping them off at school, I drove to Elm Street. According to the GPS, it was about twenty minutes away from me. I looked for the park and the house next door.

Bowls of cereal | Source: Midjourney

Bowls of cereal | Source: Midjourney

Before doing anything else, I knocked on the door. A few moments later, a woman in her thirties opened the door.

“Hi, can I help you?” she asked.

“My name is Sierra,” I said. “I believe my husband, Thomas, was with you this weekend?”

Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand.

A white front door | Source: Midjourney

A white front door | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, my God. I had no idea he was married. Please, come in. I’m Mary.”

My heart ached, and my wedding ring seemed to get tighter around my finger.

“He didn’t mention us? His family?” I asked.

Mary shook her head.

A woman hiding her face | Source: Unsplash

A woman hiding her face | Source: Unsplash

“No, he told me he was single. We met at a local market, and we’ve been seeing each other for a few months now. But he did say that work has been hectic recently. So we haven’t seen each other very often.”

“Mary, I need your help. I need evidence of his infidelity for my divorce lawyer. I can’t stay married to a man like this, especially with my kids. Can you help me?”

People at a farmer's market | Source: Unsplash

People at a farmer’s market | Source: Unsplash

Mary looked at me with determination.

“Of course,” she said. “We need to catch him in the act.”

Later that evening, Mary was going to text Thomas and invite him over. She told him that she really wanted them to have dinner together at home.

“I’ll tell him that I cooked,” she told me as I left her home. “That usually gets him here.”

A homecooked meal | Source: Midjourney

A homecooked meal | Source: Midjourney

I left the kids with my mother and drove to Mary’s house, ready to catch Thomas in the act. When he arrived, Mary kissed him at the door.

My stomach turned, but I snapped the picture anyway. Then, I stepped out of my hiding place.

“Thomas,” I demanded. “What the hell is this?”

His face turned pale.

A couple embracing | Source: Unsplash

A couple embracing | Source: Unsplash

“Sierra, what are you doing here?”

Mary crossed her arms, glaring at him.

“You lied to both of us, Thomas,” she said. “How could you? And you have children?”

He stammered, trying to find the right words, but there were none.

“It’s not what it looks like,” he finally managed to say.

“Save it,” I said, holding my camera. “I have all the proof I need. I’m ready to file for divorce.”

A close-up of a camera | Source: Unsplash

A close-up of a camera | Source: Unsplash

“Sierra, please,” he said, trying to follow me to the car.

I brushed him off and got in, ready to head home to my children.

In the following weeks, Mary and I became unlikely friends, bonded by our shared betrayal. The most surprising thing was how quickly my children got attached to her.

On the day that the papers were finally signed, I felt the biggest sense of relief and empowerment.

Two woman sitting together | Source: Unsplash

Two woman sitting together | Source: Unsplash

Sure, my heart was broken, and so was my home. But as I was trying to fix myself, my children stepped in, ready to fill my life with the joy that only children can.

As for Thomas? He moved back in with his parents. He didn’t even put up a fight to make things better.

Two smiling children | Source: Pexels

Two smiling children | Source: Pexels

What would you have done?

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