10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About India

Everyone has their own opinions and assumptions, and they are all wrong.

When I told everyone I would be traveling around India for a few months, there were a lot of people who suddenly had opinions about it.

For those who hadn’t been there, they seemed to know everything about it. For those who had been there, they seemed to have suffered from a watered-down touristy type of vacation. Nobody seemed to “get” India. They frequently told me they would never return.

I was the opposite.

So for everyone who has been, hasn’t been, or thinks they “get” India, let me explain why you’re completely wrong about it.

1. Namaste is only for tourists

If you’re trying to be polite by saying “Namaste” to everyone you see while traveling India, you are a tool. It’s also the first step in alienating yourself as a tourist. Namaste is actually only used in formal situations and only in specific parts of the country. Saying it is appreciated, but not necessary.

Just say, “Hi”.

2. It’s not an “assault on your senses”

I’ve only heard people say the phrase “assault on your senses” when they’re talking about India. India is neither loud, nor smelly. Most of Delhi smelled like car exhaust and trees, while Mumbai smelled more like wet concrete and human bodies.

If you hear an abundance of honking cars, it’s probably because you’re in the way. If these smells and sounds are familiar to you, then congratulations, you also live in a city. For an assault on the senses, take a subway ride in New York.

3. Indians don’t speak “Hindu”

As it turns out, Hindu is a religion, not a language. It’s actually called Hindi, and if you already knew that, here’s a cookie. Although Hindi will be spoken a lot around you, Indians are very well educated in speaking English and will communicate with you this way. They also have a much better grasp on grammar and syntax than we do. So just use English when you travel through India, and they’ll be happy to help you improve.

4. There aren’t cows all over the roads (or elephants)

I went into this one being all cocky, betting that if every farm in Canada released all their cows they would actually outnumber all the ones that are in India.

Yeah, no, I’m a dumbass. There are about 2 million cows in Canada. There are 500 million cows in India.

However, during my time spent there, I really didn’t see that many cows. And the ones I saw were very well behaved. If a cow ever got itself into traffic it was quickly removed by locals so it wouldn’t get hurt or cause an accident. As for elephants, it’s a bit of a no-no in the tourist world to ride them now, so Indians flowed with the money and have dialed back on their use.

5. Indian cuisine isn’t spicy, it’s quite mild

The best spices in the world may come from India, but not every restaurant in India uses them. Due to availability or price, you may only find exotic spicy dishes in restaurants catered towards tourists. And these restaurants throw in fuckloads of spices so that tourists get their money’s worth. Beyond the occasional intentionally-spicy curry, most food will taste flavorful, but will be no problem for foreigners.

6. Indians aren’t selfish because there are so many of them

When you travel to India you will realize just how rude and selfish people are…back in your home country. Indians will bend over backwards to accommodate foreigners and make you feel happy and included. Hospitality is part of their culture and tradition, and frankly, Indians put Canadians to shame.

7. Bollywood isn’t their Hollywood

Bollywood is like India’s Kpop, Top 40, and the Marvel superhero craze all rolled into one. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t understand the costumes, crazy plots, singing, and dancing that these things have to offer, guess what? There are lots of Indians who don’t enjoy Bollywood for the same reasons. India has a rich and developing film industry that includes many different kinds of genres; it’s not all weddings and choreographed dance routines.

8. It’s not actually THAT hot

India doesn’t have just one climate. In the South, daily temperatures range from 28–35. In the North, they can get below -10. Celsius, of course. The average temperature I experienced was around 31. As someone who grew up in Canada, I’m no stranger to 30–35 degree summers. You will see a lot of locals wearing pants and scarves despite the heat, it’s because they’re used to it. After an adjustment period, so will you be.

9. They aren’t that poor and they aren’t that happy

It’s a stereotype that Indians are happy despite dealing with so much poverty. India’s GDP was 2.6 trillion in 2017. Homelessness only affected 0.14% of the population in 2018. Surprising numbers for a supposedly “poor country”. The truth is, their happiness comes from something rooted in their cultures, traditions, and religions.

It’s called appreciation and gratitude.

People I met were always thankful for what they had, and were proud of the work they accomplished regardless of the number on their paychecks. Human beings will always find ways to be happy and enjoy their lives, and it’s true for any country you visit.

10. It’s not a third world country

If you picture India as a long dusty road lined with shacks and the outstretched hands of beggars, you’re an asshole. The major cities have skyscrapers, tree-lined roads, and tourist spots with selfie-safe areas. There are wealthy and not wealthy areas. They have suburbs. Gated communities. Soccer fields. Jazz clubs. Cafes. Even Dominos Pizza. Is Canada all snow and igloos? Is the United States all hoedowns and trailer parks?

These old cliches need to die.

India is one of the only countries I feel wanderlust for when I’m writing in my office. So in the end, if your view of India had bodies hanging off trains, children begging for money, homelessness consuming the cities, and traffic lights operating on the whim of the local cow population, then you need to go there, check your privilege, and fall in love.

If you made it this far and don’t hate my guts yet:

https://www.youtube.com/FarewellAlarms

Follow ONEPIN on Twitter to stay up to date on upcoming news and featured stories.