Tips for solo female travelers
Indians have many ideas about western people. I remember meeting an Indian fellow on the train on my first trip to India years ago. After some time he inquired with me candidly "Why did your parents dye your eyes that color blue?"
Be prepared to fend off some strange ideas and Indians. As a solo male traveler your are free to talk to any other Indian males. A solo female will have to be more selective and careful who she gets in casual conversation with. A completely hostile attitude is not reccomended. Don't forget that Indians are extremely sociable people so don't be surprised when people just come up to you and start talking to you. Of course they've all watched western movies and know exactely what your like.
- Dress like a man, wear big shirts that cover your arms. baggy jeans, hat, dark sunglasses, handkerchief.
- Try to look ugly.
- Carry a book, and put it up in front of you.
- Look for families to latch-on-to,
- Don't over react, anger may make a situation worse, try to make peace with a sense of humor.
- Taxi drivers maybe a risk in India. Avoid young 'cool' drivers. Look for a driver who is over 40+
- Take 3AC,2AC and better class trains avoid regular 2nd sleeper class.
- Try not to get paranoid. India has a way of doing that to you anyways.
- Don't mind if people stare at you this is a normal activity in India.
- Carry a cell phone with you. If someone is bothering you or pushing you into a situation, threaten to report them to the tourist police! Dial 100 for emergency, 102 for ambulance
- Always keep in control the situation. If things are getting out of hand do not wait. Just leave (get away) from the situation. Do not hesitate to ask someone passing by for help. India you are rarely alone.
- Do not assume you can just invite your new Indian male 'friend' up to your room for a visit and all will be yoga...
- Do not go to a secret rave party in the jungle and drop something with your 'new friends...' Full moon parties from Nepal to India to Ko Pangyang are famous for sexual assaults and date rapes
Well according to some people it isn't. But did you know that a female tourist is 40x more likely to be assaulted while traveling in France or Greece than while in India?
- No. But please don't dress like this in India either
- I believe that the official word from the India Tourist Department: recommends that females not travel alone in India. This is simply because they can not guarantee or provide 100% safety so they don't what to be blamed. Other than there are no warning officially not to travel solo. If any they will be listed here
