Although India is a country that is becoming more familiar with western ways, it still is a melting pot of older, formal traditions and younger, adaptive ideas. Though forgiving of foreigners who don’t understand the local customs, it could be immensely helpful for travellers to follow the points mentioned below.

  • Dress modestly – Avoid offence by avoiding tight, sheer, and skimpy clothes.
  • Shoes – It’s polite to remove shoes before entering homes and places of worship.
  • Photos – Best to ask before snapping people, sacred sites or ceremonies.
  • Bad vibes – Avoid pointing soles of feet towards people or deities, or touching anyone with your feet.
  • Hello Saying – ‘namaste’ with hands together in a prayer gesture is a respectful Hindu greeting; for muslims say ‘salaam alaikum’ (‘peace be with you’; response: ‘alaikum salaam’).
  • Head wobble – Can mean ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘I have no idea’.
  • Pure touch – The right hand is for eating and shaking hands, the left is the ‘toilet’ hand.