Thanks to The Other Home I was able to go on a much awaited trip across India. I stayed with many families both in the north and the south of India as a part of myhomestay -spree, if you may. It was an amazing experience for I got to experience the culture and the food first hand rather than being holed up in a hotel or a hostel and spend a major proportion of my time in a sterile and unwelcoming setting.
This experience gave me a great insight into the undercurrents of the Indian society and its varied cultures. Coming from a working middle class American family most of their subtle changes of the cultural context were alien to me and took me some time to get used to them. Therefore when “The Other Home” team asked me to write a blog on five things to make the most of a homestay, I jumped on the opportunity.
Shoes should be left outside
Many Indian homes require people to take off their shoes at the front gate and walk either bare feet or with home slippers around the house. Slippers are often taken to the bathroom as well. This is because it is believed that the shoes worn outside are dirty and could bring in mud inside as well.
Do not mind personal questions
Indians are naturally inquisitive people and like to ask a lot of personal questions. The reason for this (as one of my host told me is because there is a lack of personal space). Do not be offended as the questions are no meant in any negative way. In fact the more questions someone asks you, the more it is likely that they like you and want to get to know you better.
Do not waste food
Indians are very particular about food and it is considered highly rude and disrespectful if someone wastes it. Meanwhile Indians also equate guests as incarnation of the gods and would do whatever they can to make their guests feel at home (even if that means piling their plates with more food then they can possibly eat). You have to firmly tell them when you can possibly not eat anymore, else you might just end up hurting your host’s feelings.
Books and Money
Indians believe that the goddess of knowledge resides in all books. Similarly they also believe that the goddess of wealth resides on top of all money and coins. Being extremely spiritual society, you would rarely see any Indian picking up a dropped coin or book and not touching it to their forehead or their eyes as a sign of asking for forgiveness.
Any touching of money or books with feet (something considered impure) will be taken as a sign of disrespect and most likely not liked.
Avoid Tap Water
While on a trip to India it is a commonly known fact that the tap water might not be safe to drink. However most families have aqua-guards (machines that purify tap water using UV rays and reverse osmosis) in their kitchens. On arriving you can ask your host about the drinking water situation, to ensure you have a clearer idea.
It is also safe to not drink the water coming from the taps of the bathrooms or outside the house.
To Kiss the Monument of Love
Fooling around on the Computer
Intense match of Cricket
My hosts were kind enough to take me to Fatehpur Sikri
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(Guest Author: Gabriella Mudhok, College student, New Bern USA)
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