10 Annoying Things About India and Indians

 
As a writer of India, I am frequently asked what my interest is in a country few people think to visit. Most people don’t really care to hear the reasons. They have already envisioned an idea of what the country looks like even as I sing the praises of India’s wonderful tourist sites and it’s people. Oh, and the food!
Are they still listening? Nope. These people have nodded off because I didn’t give them what they really wanted to hear; This list of 10 annoying things about India and Indians:
1. Why Do You Keep Staring at Me?
Coming from a culture where we barely give a passing glance at most people surrounding us, it’s perhaps more than a bit of culture shock to arrive in a country where the general feeling is, EVERYONE IS STARING AT ME! In the hotel lobby, in restaurants, on the road, inside cars, buses and trains…AHHHH, stop staring at me. At home we would take this as an unspoken suggestion that maybe you should check your teeth for leftovers, or that pimple is ready to apply for a zip code. Yet most of us don’t even notice we’re being stared at in our normal surroundings. Cross the Atlantic into a foreign country and we’re suddenly blindingly aware of the different characteristics of the Indian population.

Some will say Indians stare because they are interested in you; Your fashion, your mannerisms, your speech, your approval or disapproval of their country. And others will offer their own irritation at being stared at. “I don’t know what their damn problem is,” a local once explained to me. Ugh, and the laughing. If you’re personality sides more with Woody Allen than the Dalai Lama, plan to travel with a therapist.
2. Can’t Say No
Westerners love to say no. We love it so much so, it’s not uncommon to hear people say, “Hell No!” Indians on the other hand can’t be brought to say no. Asking a yes or no question in India will commonly be answered with, “actually, it is…” Asking to meet at a certain time or to go to a particular place can be met with, “I’ll try, We’ll see.” Indians consider ‘No’ to be very harsh and they don’t like to disappoint. So rather than getting a quick determination on a request, tourists are often left wondering what ‘possibly’ means.
3. Hypocrisy Between Religion and Life
Hinduism and Islam are the most common religions in India. Followers are quick to educate foreigners on the societal laws of the country. And what sounds great on paper doesn’t always translate into reality. I once had a conversation with a tour guide about Hinduism, specifically his beliefs and how they applied to his life. We spent far too long talking about the ideals of Hinduism and as I questioned him further it was clear there were cracks in his theories. Topics about helping others in need and concern for one another are the basics of good moral consciousness. But when asked to give examples of how he helps his community, there were none. He was focused on earning enough to take care of his family.
Talk of sex in India is commonly avoided. In the movies it’s rare to see two characters kiss. Homosexuality is regarded as non-existent in most circles. And arranged marriage is seen as the poster child for successful unions. It’s no secret there is an entirely different reality surrounding sex in India behind closed doors. Affairs, a growing number of un-closeted gays and a rising divorce rate are just some of the hypocrisies between religion and life in India.
4. Everything is a Headache
Even locals will tell you, everything in India is a headache. From cops shaking down drivers for minor infractions to merchants watering down product or skimming small amounts from a package after it’s been weighed, some days one wonders how the country progresses. Ever come to a road block? Instead of simply driving past or looking for a quick detour as we would outside of India, locals find this a challenge to conquer. They simply must pull over, get out and add their two cents into what has become an argument of strangers. For no rati