Ever been to India? Why do people find it so depressing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

Clearly you haven't been to India.

Hence the post, dummy

Sigh.

You can't really drive or walk through a city without being swarmed by poor people -- many of them very young children, many very physically deformed, crying and looking very said and begging. They stare until you make eye contact. Then they beg and beg. And it never stops. There are thousands of them, so you can't connect with someone even if you want to. Because it is never ending. Like an avalanche of human pain and suffering. And your only hope to get through it at all is to not make eye contact.

Is this just the case in Agra or did you experience it in Delhi too?

I have been everywhere in India. Agra really sucks. Unless you have a real passion for the Taj Mahal, it's not worth it.

Yes, I know Agra is like this, that’s why I was asking if Delhi is similar.

Delhi is best if you know someone to help show you around. I didn't. And I already had Indian city fatigue. I had come in by train from Varanasi (recommend) and then headed north to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills (amusing). Old Town Delhi is worth a wander - the mosque is interesting. It's an absolutely filthy city. The monkeys are annoying. And while I was there, there was political violence so it seemed tense. I didn't see any reason to stay long. I did make a long day trip to Agra, and it's probably the least interesting thing I did in India.

It takes a while to get to know an Indian city. I had the best urban experiences in Mumbai and Kolkata. So when I fly in, I choose one of those two. And I book a good hotel for the first three days to acclimatize before venturing on the trains and buses, which are an experience. I'm fond of India, but it's a tough country. I alternate between luxury and backpacker hostels. You eventually learn how to navigate the trains. It can be a horror show, but also really fascinating. It's best to believe in a god when traveling by bus. Avoid all midrange "business" hotels. And if you are a woman, don't even think about traveling alone. The south is safer and more well to do than the north. Really avoid places like Bihar.

Flying in to Delhi is useful though if you are heading to Rajasthan. Or north into the Himalayas. By land, which is not for everyone.

India a lot to experience. I couldn't imagine just going for a short trip. You'll hate it, like everyone here does. But a longer, more well researched trip with ideally a good, experienced travel companion is definitely one of the more memorable things to do on the planet.

How many times have you been? As a young woman traveling in a group, I felt very unsafe in Rajasthan. There were a few times when I was briefly separated from my group and had some close calls with a group of teen boys that started groping me, and then a man who chased and grabbed me inside of a museum. Every woman I know who has been to India has a similar story. I also found Delhi unbearable with the crowds and pollution and I mostly stayed indoors. But Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur are culturally rich and probably the most interesting parts of my trip besides Varanasi. In contrast, the Punjab region and Southern India near Pudicherry and Chennai felt a bit safer and less chaotic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Following up on the earlier post here. My dh refuses to go again, says it’s a horrible place and he’s usually open minded. Maybe I’ve seen too many Bollywood films, but it’s always seemed so exotic and charming to me

Americans think they know poverty, classism, racism, and religious intolerance…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

Clearly you haven't been to India.

Hence the post, dummy

Sigh.

You can't really drive or walk through a city without being swarmed by poor people -- many of them very young children, many very physically deformed, crying and looking very said and begging. They stare until you make eye contact. Then they beg and beg. And it never stops. There are thousands of them, so you can't connect with someone even if you want to. Because it is never ending. Like an avalanche of human pain and suffering. And your only hope to get through it at all is to not make eye contact.

Is this just the case in Agra or did you experience it in Delhi too?

I have been everywhere in India. Agra really sucks. Unless you have a real passion for the Taj Mahal, it's not worth it.

Yes, I know Agra is like this, that’s why I was asking if Delhi is similar.

Delhi is best if you know someone to help show you around. I didn't. And I already had Indian city fatigue. I had come in by train from Varanasi (recommend) and then headed north to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills (amusing). Old Town Delhi is worth a wander - the mosque is interesting. It's an absolutely filthy city. The monkeys are annoying. And while I was there, there was political violence so it seemed tense. I didn't see any reason to stay long. I did make a long day trip to Agra, and it's probably the least interesting thing I did in India.

It takes a while to get to know an Indian city. I had the best urban experiences in Mumbai and Kolkata. So when I fly in, I choose one of those two. And I book a good hotel for the first three days to acclimatize before venturing on the trains and buses, which are an experience. I'm fond of India, but it's a tough country. I alternate between luxury and backpacker hostels. You eventually learn how to navigate the trains. It can be a horror show, but also really fascinating. It's best to believe in a god when traveling by bus. Avoid all midrange "business" hotels. And if you are a woman, don't even think about traveling alone. The south is safer and more well to do than the north. Really avoid places like Bihar.

Flying in to Delhi is useful though if you are heading to Rajasthan. Or north into the Himalayas. By land, which is not for everyone.

India a lot to experience. I couldn't imagine just going for a short trip. You'll hate it, like everyone here does. But a longer, more well researched trip with ideally a good, experienced travel companion is definitely one of the more memorable things to do on the planet.

How many times have you been? As a young woman traveling in a group, I felt very unsafe in Rajasthan. There were a few times when I was briefly separated from my group and had some close calls with a group of teen boys that started groping me, and then a man who chased and grabbed me inside of a museum. Every woman I know who has been to India has a similar story. I also found Delhi unbearable with the crowds and pollution and I mostly stayed indoors. But Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur are culturally rich and probably the most interesting parts of my trip besides Varanasi. In contrast, the Punjab region and Southern India near Pudicherry and Chennai felt a bit safer and less chaotic.

DP.

I’ve been to India and I’ve never been groped. I’m sure that happened to you but to say “every woman you know” is hyperbole. I know Americans who live there and have never been groped or chased. No one I know has been.

That said, my hotel was bombed. There’s that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

Clearly you haven't been to India.

Hence the post, dummy

Sigh.

You can't really drive or walk through a city without being swarmed by poor people -- many of them very young children, many very physically deformed, crying and looking very said and begging. They stare until you make eye contact. Then they beg and beg. And it never stops. There are thousands of them, so you can't connect with someone even if you want to. Because it is never ending. Like an avalanche of human pain and suffering. And your only hope to get through it at all is to not make eye contact.

Is this just the case in Agra or did you experience it in Delhi too?

I have been everywhere in India. Agra really sucks. Unless you have a real passion for the Taj Mahal, it's not worth it.

Yes, I know Agra is like this, that’s why I was asking if Delhi is similar.

Delhi is best if you know someone to help show you around. I didn't. And I already had Indian city fatigue. I had come in by train from Varanasi (recommend) and then headed north to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills (amusing). Old Town Delhi is worth a wander - the mosque is interesting. It's an absolutely filthy city. The monkeys are annoying. And while I was there, there was political violence so it seemed tense. I didn't see any reason to stay long. I did make a long day trip to Agra, and it's probably the least interesting thing I did in India.

It takes a while to get to know an Indian city. I had the best urban experiences in Mumbai and Kolkata. So when I fly in, I choose one of those two. And I book a good hotel for the first three days to acclimatize before venturing on the trains and buses, which are an experience. I'm fond of India, but it's a tough country. I alternate between luxury and backpacker hostels. You eventually learn how to navigate the trains. It can be a horror show, but also really fascinating. It's best to believe in a god when traveling by bus. Avoid all midrange "business" hotels. And if you are a woman, don't even think about traveling alone. The south is safer and more well to do than the north. Really avoid places like Bihar.

Flying in to Delhi is useful though if you are heading to Rajasthan. Or north into the Himalayas. By land, which is not for everyone.

India a lot to experience. I couldn't imagine just going for a short trip. You'll hate it, like everyone here does. But a longer, more well researched trip with ideally a good, experienced travel companion is definitely one of the more memorable things to do on the planet.

How many times have you been? As a young woman traveling in a group, I felt very unsafe in Rajasthan. There were a few times when I was briefly separated from my group and had some close calls with a group of teen boys that started groping me, and then a man who chased and grabbed me inside of a museum. Every woman I know who has been to India has a similar story. I also found Delhi unbearable with the crowds and pollution and I mostly stayed indoors. But Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur are culturally rich and probably the most interesting parts of my trip besides Varanasi. In contrast, the Punjab region and Southern India near Pudicherry and Chennai felt a bit safer and less chaotic.

DP.

I’ve been to India and I’ve never been groped. I’m sure that happened to you but to say “every woman you know” is hyperbole. I know Americans who live there and have never been groped or chased. No one I know has been.

That said, my hotel was bombed. There’s that.

I was never groped in India either but the entire experience was a shock to the senses and not in a good way. That said, I saw someone on a bike get hit by a bus. The bus did not stop.

Also, my stomach did not tolerate the food to say the least. So, so, sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

Clearly you haven't been to India.

Hence the post, dummy

Sigh.

You can't really drive or walk through a city without being swarmed by poor people -- many of them very young children, many very physically deformed, crying and looking very said and begging. They stare until you make eye contact. Then they beg and beg. And it never stops. There are thousands of them, so you can't connect with someone even if you want to. Because it is never ending. Like an avalanche of human pain and suffering. And your only hope to get through it at all is to not make eye contact.

Is this just the case in Agra or did you experience it in Delhi too?

I have been everywhere in India. Agra really sucks. Unless you have a real passion for the Taj Mahal, it's not worth it.

Yes, I know Agra is like this, that’s why I was asking if Delhi is similar.

Delhi is best if you know someone to help show you around. I didn't. And I already had Indian city fatigue. I had come in by train from Varanasi (recommend) and then headed north to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills (amusing). Old Town Delhi is worth a wander - the mosque is interesting. It's an absolutely filthy city. The monkeys are annoying. And while I was there, there was political violence so it seemed tense. I didn't see any reason to stay long. I did make a long day trip to Agra, and it's probably the least interesting thing I did in India.

It takes a while to get to know an Indian city. I had the best urban experiences in Mumbai and Kolkata. So when I fly in, I choose one of those two. And I book a good hotel for the first three days to acclimatize before venturing on the trains and buses, which are an experience. I'm fond of India, but it's a tough country. I alternate between luxury and backpacker hostels. You eventually learn how to navigate the trains. It can be a horror show, but also really fascinating. It's best to believe in a god when traveling by bus. Avoid all midrange "business" hotels. And if you are a woman, don't even think about traveling alone. The south is safer and more well to do than the north. Really avoid places like Bihar.

Flying in to Delhi is useful though if you are heading to Rajasthan. Or north into the Himalayas. By land, which is not for everyone.

India a lot to experience. I couldn't imagine just going for a short trip. You'll hate it, like everyone here does. But a longer, more well researched trip with ideally a good, experienced travel companion is definitely one of the more memorable things to do on the planet.

How many times have you been? As a young woman traveling in a group, I felt very unsafe in Rajasthan. There were a few times when I was briefly separated from my group and had some close calls with a group of teen boys that started groping me, and then a man who chased and grabbed me inside of a museum. Every woman I know who has been to India has a similar story. I also found Delhi unbearable with the crowds and pollution and I mostly stayed indoors. But Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur are culturally rich and probably the most interesting parts of my trip besides Varanasi. In contrast, the Punjab region and Southern India near Pudicherry and Chennai felt a bit safer and less chaotic.

DP.

I’ve been to India and I’ve never been groped. I’m sure that happened to you but to say “every woman you know” is hyperbole. I know Americans who live there and have never been groped or chased. No one I know has been.

That said, my hotel was bombed. There’s that.

"Every woman I know who has been to India" is not hyperbole, it's actually very specific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

Clearly you haven't been to India.

Hence the post, dummy

Sigh.

You can't really drive or walk through a city without being swarmed by poor people -- many of them very young children, many very physically deformed, crying and looking very said and begging. They stare until you make eye contact. Then they beg and beg. And it never stops. There are thousands of them, so you can't connect with someone even if you want to. Because it is never ending. Like an avalanche of human pain and suffering. And your only hope to get through it at all is to not make eye contact.

Is this just the case in Agra or did you experience it in Delhi too?

I have been everywhere in India. Agra really sucks. Unless you have a real passion for the Taj Mahal, it's not worth it.

Yes, I know Agra is like this, that’s why I was asking if Delhi is similar.

Delhi is best if you know someone to help show you around. I didn't. And I already had Indian city fatigue. I had come in by train from Varanasi (recommend) and then headed north to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills (amusing). Old Town Delhi is worth a wander - the mosque is interesting. It's an absolutely filthy city. The monkeys are annoying. And while I was there, there was political violence so it seemed tense. I didn't see any reason to stay long. I did make a long day trip to Agra, and it's probably the least interesting thing I did in India.

It takes a while to get to know an Indian city. I had the best urban experiences in Mumbai and Kolkata. So when I fly in, I choose one of those two. And I book a good hotel for the first three days to acclimatize before venturing on the trains and buses, which are an experience. I'm fond of India, but it's a tough country. I alternate between luxury and backpacker hostels. You eventually learn how to navigate the trains. It can be a horror show, but also really fascinating. It's best to believe in a god when traveling by bus. Avoid all midrange "business" hotels. And if you are a woman, don't even think about traveling alone. The south is safer and more well to do than the north. Really avoid places like Bihar.

Flying in to Delhi is useful though if you are heading to Rajasthan. Or north into the Himalayas. By land, which is not for everyone.

India a lot to experience. I couldn't imagine just going for a short trip. You'll hate it, like everyone here does. But a longer, more well researched trip with ideally a good, experienced travel companion is definitely one of the more memorable things to do on the planet.

How many times have you been? As a young woman traveling in a group, I felt very unsafe in Rajasthan. There were a few times when I was briefly separated from my group and had some close calls with a group of teen boys that started groping me, and then a man who chased and grabbed me inside of a museum. Every woman I know who has been to India has a similar story. I also found Delhi unbearable with the crowds and pollution and I mostly stayed indoors. But Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur are culturally rich and probably the most interesting parts of my trip besides Varanasi. In contrast, the Punjab region and Southern India near Pudicherry and Chennai felt a bit safer and less chaotic.

DP.

I’ve been to India and I’ve never been groped. I’m sure that happened to you but to say “every woman you know” is hyperbole. I know Americans who live there and have never been groped or chased. No one I know has been.

That said, my hotel was bombed. There’s that.

"Every woman I know who has been to India" is not hyperbole, it's actually very specific.

In fact it's just as specific as you saying "No one I know has been." Are we to assume you're being hyperbolic here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

With anyone staring at you, and they will be staring. The poverty is not remotely similar to the poverty in the US. The amount of people (families) living on the street is shocking. The traffic is shocking (family of four on a motorcycle, with a toddler hanging on to it's mom, and an infant in her lap, etc).

Really? The people I know from there seem middle class or wealthy. Is it just bc they’re from a higher caste?

A plane ticket from India to the US usually costs over $1000. You really think a poor Indian person living on $2 per day can afford a plane ticket to come here? Of course the Indians you meet here are going to be more affluent, more educated and from a higher class.

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t get over the pollution. Just trash everywhere. The most beautiful structure on earth - Taj Mahal - and it is surrounded by trash.

[Anonymous]

I went for a work conference just outside of Delhi. Did a very small bit of sightseeing including Agra. I’m glad I experienced it but have zero desire to return.

Didn’t feel safe moving around.
So much trash and poverty
Really hate the “VVVIP” culture
Entirely different view of cleanliness re: food which was pretty jarring.

I’m sure parts are lovely. But not the parts I experienced with rare expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If life were so great in India, people would not immigrate as soon as they had the minimum means—and not immigrate to the West but everywhere in the world. Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa have huge Indian populations.

Indians are 1/5 of the world population. They go to different countries around the world and succeed wildly in the richest and the poorest countries of the world. More successful than the local native population of those countries.

1/5 of the world population where 60% of the population is below 35 years old so they will obviously spread to other countries too to amass wealth and seek opportunities.

Especially if they can speak English, are young, are STEM educated, have family and community support, work harder for less money and are law abiding & tax paying.

As an Indian, I am just fine if you don’t go to India. India has such a huge population that they are not starved for tourists. In fact Indian tourists are propping up the economies of other nations.

300 years ago, India was the richest nation in the world. Our poverty is the result of 45 billions dollars looted from us by the White man. So your attempt to shame India does not work because we know our history and who are parents are. And we are getting that money back from the world - one outsourced IT job at a time, one medical doctor at a time, one pharma pill at a time, one military weapon at a time, one Bollywood movie at a time!

We are such a huge market, such a powerful juggernaut (or Jagannath) that Netflix to Disney, Amazon to Tesla want to woo us.


We have the capacity to work hard, pool resources, study hard, be frugal and build wealth. Indians expats send enough foreign exchange back to India from around the world that India can remain non-aligned in our foreign policy.

Indian housewives own 11% of the world’s gold reserves. We are the largest democracy, the most diverse country, the oldest civilization and have originated Hinduism, budhhism, Jainism and Sikhism from our religious philosophies.

Yes, India is still a poor country but we have the audacity of hope, grit, courage and inventiveness (jugaad). So we are a nuclear power, a space power and the 5th largest economy!

Haters can fuzkkk off and get a bikini wax!!

Oh, and we are so non-aligned that you would not even know if we are Democrats or Republicans. Our genes produce both Usha Vance and Kamala Harris!! Both Goddesses!!

You can acknowledge that these opportunities are only available to a very small minority of Indians.

+1
As someone said earlier "
If life were so great in India, people would not immigrate as soon as they had the minimum means". That's it. Mic drop. You can think you're "winning" at going to other countries and being "better" than the natives but you're just bringing your caste attitude. You should really do a bit of self-reflection.

[Anonymous]

I adopted my daughter from India so I spent some time in a few cities. There was extreme poverty in Delhi that was jarring but like when I travel anywhere, it gives me perspective on my life, and “winning the lottery” by being born middle class in America. I feel like it teaches you to be grateful in a whole new way. We had the opportunity to take tours around Delhi and Old Delhi, there are a lot of beautiful people and buildings and amazing food. When I take my daughter back to visit we’ll hit up Mumbai.

[Anonymous]

Never for me and my family. I find it disgusting and depressing. Spend money to visit, don’t think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went for a work conference just outside of Delhi. Did a very small bit of sightseeing including Agra. I’m glad I experienced it but have zero desire to return.

Didn’t feel safe moving around.
So much trash and poverty
Really hate the “VVVIP” culture
Entirely different view of cleanliness re: food which was pretty jarring.

I’m sure parts are lovely. But not the parts I experienced with rare expectations.

What’s VVIP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went for a work conference just outside of Delhi. Did a very small bit of sightseeing including Agra. I’m glad I experienced it but have zero desire to return.

Didn’t feel safe moving around.
So much trash and poverty
Really hate the “VVVIP” culture
Entirely different view of cleanliness re: food which was pretty jarring.

I’m sure parts are lovely. But not the parts I experienced with rare expectations.

Can you give more details of this? Any examples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of poverty and classism is alarming.

You are expected just to ignore it and not make eye contact.

I don’t follow. Not make eye contact? With who?

Clearly you haven't been to India.

Hence the post, dummy

Sigh.

You can't really drive or walk through a city without being swarmed by poor people -- many of them very young children, many very physically deformed, crying and looking very said and begging. They stare until you make eye contact. Then they beg and beg. And it never stops. There are thousands of them, so you can't connect with someone even if you want to. Because it is never ending. Like an avalanche of human pain and suffering. And your only hope to get through it at all is to not make eye contact.

Is this just the case in Agra or did you experience it in Delhi too?

I have been everywhere in India. Agra really sucks. Unless you have a real passion for the Taj Mahal, it's not worth it.

Yes, I know Agra is like this, that’s why I was asking if Delhi is similar.

Delhi is best if you know someone to help show you around. I didn't. And I already had Indian city fatigue. I had come in by train from Varanasi (recommend) and then headed north to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills (amusing). Old Town Delhi is worth a wander - the mosque is interesting. It's an absolutely filthy city. The monkeys are annoying. And while I was there, there was political violence so it seemed tense. I didn't see any reason to stay long. I did make a long day trip to Agra, and it's probably the least interesting thing I did in India.

It takes a while to get to know an Indian city. I had the best urban experiences in Mumbai and Kolkata. So when I fly in, I choose one of those two. And I book a good hotel for the first three days to acclimatize before venturing on the trains and buses, which are an experience. I'm fond of India, but it's a tough country. I alternate between luxury and backpacker hostels. You eventually learn how to navigate the trains. It can be a horror show, but also really fascinating. It's best to believe in a god when traveling by bus. Avoid all midrange "business" hotels. And if you are a woman, don't even think about traveling alone. The south is safer and more well to do than the north. Really avoid places like Bihar.

Flying in to Delhi is useful though if you are heading to Rajasthan. Or north into the Himalayas. By land, which is not for everyone.

India a lot to experience. I couldn't imagine just going for a short trip. You'll hate it, like everyone here does. But a longer, more well researched trip with ideally a good, experienced travel companion is definitely one of the more memorable things to do on the planet.

How many times have you been? As a young woman traveling in a group, I felt very unsafe in Rajasthan. There were a few times when I was briefly separated from my group and had some close calls with a group of teen boys that started groping me, and then a man who chased and grabbed me inside of a museum. Every woman I know who has been to India has a similar story. I also found Delhi unbearable with the crowds and pollution and I mostly stayed indoors. But Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur are culturally rich and probably the most interesting parts of my trip besides Varanasi. In contrast, the Punjab region and Southern India near Pudicherry and Chennai felt a bit safer and less chaotic.

DP.

I’ve been to India and I’ve never been groped. I’m sure that happened to you but to say “every woman you know” is hyperbole. I know Americans who live there and have never been groped or chased. No one I know has been.

That said, my hotel was bombed. There’s that.

You were either very lucky or in a very sheltered bubble. Groping is endemic in India.