6 Ways for Women to Not Stand Out as a Tourist in India
- Allison
- Aug 24
- 3 min read
Visiting India as a female is an incredible, life-altering experience. India is a famous destination that is culturally diverse and has a deep history of innovation and influence. Today, India welcomes millions of visitors who are fascinated with the only country in the world with an ocean named after it.
As a woman visiting India, it's important to understand some cultural norms and laws to ensure a pleasant and transformative experience while visiting this beautiful country. Here are 6 ways for women to not stand out as a tourist in India and blend into Indian culture:
BOOK TRAVEL WITH A REPUTABLE TOUR OPERATOR
One of the best ways to not stand out as a woman tourist in India is by booking your trip with a reputable tour operator, especially if this is your first time visiting India. The operator can give you tips and suggestions to help you immerse yourself into local culture as well as arrange accommodations, local transportation and meals. To find out which tour operators are professional and legit, search through TourRadar, which vets tour operators, provide ratings and multiple tour packages for destinations throughout the world. According to TourRadar, some of the best tour operators in India include:
BE ASSERTIVE AND CONFIDENT
Another way to blend into Indian culture is by being assertive. Carrying yourself in a self-confident and respectful way will have a positive impact during your travels in India. Conducting yourself in a passive way or being too polite can lead locals to think you're not from there and target you for scams and/or blatant judgments. Be firm, set boundaries, walk with poise and speak with confidence to eliminate issues and not stand out as a tourist.
WEAR MODEST ATTIRE WITH BRIGHT COLORS
India is well known for its love of colors. With states like Rajasthan where you see cities like Alwar, the green city, Udaipur, the white city, and Jaipur, the pink city, Indian locals love colors. India has historically been a modest country, though in modern times Western influences have impacted Indian fashion. To prevent unwanted attention from men or locals, where tops that cover your shoulders and cleavage. Wear loose-fitting bottoms such as skirts and dresses that go to your ankles. If you really want to blend in, you can wear a head scarf with bright colors such as yellow, purple, red, etc. and traditional outfits like saris, kurtas, lehenga and dupattas with gold jewelry such as nose rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
BE MINDFUL OF INTERACTIONS WITH LOCAL MEN
Another way to not stand out as a tourist in India is by being mindful of your verbal and nonverbal communication with men. Being overfriendly can be perceived by Indian men as flirting and can warrant harassment or uncomfortable situations with local men. Watch your body language by creating some space and avoiding excessive smiling and eye contact to ensure a more pleasant time in India.
RESEARCH INDIAN CULTURE PRIOR TO TRAVELS
Get prepared for your India holiday by doing research on Indian culture and laws before travel. A great way to do that is by watching videos or reading blogs by those who live and have visited India before. Some Indian blogs I enjoy include:
Inditales: Walking tours, culture, heritage, art history and nature trails in India and around the world.
Delhi-Fun-Dos: Delhi Events, Exhibitions, Dance, Theater, Movies, Markets, Festivals.
Way To India: Original and helpful India travel blog that aids in planning India tours.
Rangan Datta: India travel blog by independent researcher, travelogue writer and photographer.
Some Indian vlogs I enjoy watching on YouTube include:
@Mrbapu07volog: Indian travel and food videos.
@OffbeatandUntold: Offbeat destinations in India and around.
@IndianTourism-ExploringIndia: Exploring India and its culture.
@TanyaKhanijow: Travel adventures focusing on solo travel.
HAVE AN OPEN MIND
India is well known for its diversity. There are several practiced religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity. Gastronomy varies from vegetarian to meat eaters and various socioeconomic backgrounds, which can be evident in different states and neighborhoods. Come to India with an open mind and a willingness to learn about local's backgrounds, traditions and values to have a much richer experience in India.
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