Kolkata India Travel Tips

Kolkata: Key Travel and Cultural Etiquette Tips

Kolkata, the “City of Joy”, is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. Here are some key tips to help you navigate Kolkata like a local while respecting its traditions:

Greetings & Interactions:

  • Namaste: The traditional Indian greeting is “Namaste” (pronounced “Nah-mah-stay”). It’s a respectful gesture made by pressing your palms together in front of your chest and bowing slightly.

  • Respect for Elders: Indian culture places great emphasis on respect for elders. Address them as “Uncle” or “Auntie” (even if they aren’t related to you) and use the “Namaste” greeting.

  • Greetings Etiquette:

    • It’s considered polite to greet the elderly first, using “Namaste” and a slight bow.
    • Be mindful of personal space in crowded environments.

Clothing & Appearance:

  • Modesty: Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Shoulders and legs should be covered.

  • Climate Considerations:

    • Pack light, loose-fitting clothing for the hot and humid weather.
    • Carry a scarf or shawl to cover your head and shoulders if necessary.

Food & Drink:

  • Eating with Hands: In many traditional settings, it’s common and acceptable to eat with your hands. Use your right hand only for eating and offering food, as the left is considered unclean in Indian culture.

  • Street Food Etiquette:

    • Be prepared to haggle over the price, especially if you’re a regular customer at a stall.

  • Sharing is Caring: Eating is often a communal experience in Kolkata, so expect to share dishes with others and be open to trying new foods.

Food & Drink Considerations:

  • Remove Shoes: Be respectful of the custom and remove your shoes before entering temples and some restaurants.
  • Respect Food Offerings: If you’re invited to try food offered to a deity (prasad), it’s considered polite to accept it with your right hand, even if you don’t want to eat it.

Dining Etiquette:

  • Eat Together: Sharing food is common and encouraged in Kolkata.
  • Use Your Right Hand: For meals, it’s customary to use your right hand for eating and eating together is a sign of unity.

Shoes:

  • Offerings:

    • Food: While “prasad” is shared at many religious gatherings and with street vendors, it’s not as common in everyday life.

  • Street Food Culture:

    • Taste of the Streets: Be open to trying new things! Kolkata has a vibrant street food scene. Embrace the opportunity to explore different flavors and cuisines.

Transportation & Mobility:

  • Traffic: Kolkata is known for its chaotic traffic. Expect delays and be patient with taxi drivers and rickshaw pullers.

  • Public Transport:

    • Yellow Taxi Cabs: These iconic cabs are a fun way to experience the city, but remember that they’re not metered.

Bargaining:

  • Negotiate Respectfully: While Kolkata has a strong food culture, bargaining is generally expected in markets and with street vendors, be respectful and don’t haggle over unreasonable prices.

  • Public Transportation (again):

    • Haggling Etiquette:

Negotiating Prices:

  • Local Markets: Remember that the starting price often includes a markup for negotiation.

Respecting the Culture:

  • Transportation:

Footwear: In Kolkata, it’s customary to remove your shoes before entering a religious site or someone’s home.

  • Dress Code: Dress modestly in casual clothing when visiting temples and mosques.

Eating with Hands:

  • Negotiating:
    • Be Prepared to Walk Away: If you’re not comfortable with the price, politely decline and move on.

Respectful Eating Habits:

  • Home:

Dining Etiquette:

  • Public Markets:

Temples & Religious Sites:

  • Cover yourself up: Wear appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders and legs.

Respecting “Namaste”:

  • Shoes (cont.): … a common practice, but it’s important to remember the context.

Bargaining:

  • Public Transport Etiquette: The vendor may offer you a price, but be prepared to counter with a lower one, and they are likely to expect this.
  • Respectful Offers: Offer a price that is fair and reasonable for both parties.

Remember, “Namaste” is more than just a greeting. It’s a sign of respect and is used to greet someone you are about to interact with, such as a shopkeeper or a religious leader. Use your hands to greet them, and it shows humility.

  • Respectful Greetings:

Use the right hand for:

  • Shoes:

    • Avoid haggling in restaurants: It is generally not expected or appreciated.

    • Respecting: Offer food with your right hand and receive it from others with respect, using “Namaste” and your right hand when you are interacting with someone who is elderly or a religious leader

Use Your Right Hand for Eating: When eating in a communal setting, the person offering the food will use their right hand to present the food to you.

  • Respecting Elders (in general):

  • Offerings: Make sure to offer your “Namaste” with a smile and a slight nod of the head, making eye contact with the person as a sign of respect.

Remember that in India, it’s common to greet people with a respectful “Namaste”

  • Use your right hand:

  • Temple & Religious Sites (cont.): In India, it is considered disrespectful to eat or drink with your left hand.

  • Offerings:

  • Respectful Greetings: When greeting someone in a traditional setting, use the “Namaste” gesture and greet them with a slight bow and a smile.

It’s important to remember that these are just general guidelines.

Culture is Diverse:

  • Remember that customs can vary depending on the region, religion, and occasion.
  • Use your right hand for everything: Eating, offering food, paying for things, handing someone an object.

Be Prepared to Take Off Your Shoes:

  • Many people in India consider it disrespectful to enter a home or place of worship with shoes on.

  • Respect the “Namaste” Tradition: If you’re at a temple or a mosque, you’ll likely need to take off your shoes before entering.

Additional Tips:

  • Bargaining:

    • Bargaining is more common in markets and for smaller services (like a chai wallah)

  • Respectful Greetings:

    • “Namaste”:

  • Show respect for the person’s culture and beliefs.

  • Offer a respectful greeting with your right hand, such as “Namaste” or “Namaskar.”

    • Don’t point: Pointing is considered rude in Indian culture, it is seen as aggressive and disrespectful.

    • Don’t be afraid to haggle: It’s expected in many situations, especially in markets.

  • Respect for Food:

    • Remove your shoes when entering a place of worship *

Be Mindful of the “Namaste” Tradition: *

  • Offerings: Use your right hand to present food and be respectful of the deity and those who offer it.
  • The Elderly: Consider the elderly person’s location (in the queue for a temple, etc.)

Respecting Food:

  • The elderly may:

    • Be more willing to accept a fair price

  • Respect: Respect the presence of the elderly with respect.**

For example, you can use your hands to respectfully greet an elder. It is important to remember that the vendor is often expecting this and will adjust their price accordingly.**

Remember: It’s important to be respectful of the local culture when traveling.

Additional Tips for Respectful Travel:

  • Respecting religious sites: Take off your shoes before entering, dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees), and speak quietly.
  • Dress code: Dress conservatively in clothing that covers your shoulders and legs.

This is usually a sign of respect to the family or deity.

Remember: Respecting the elderly is a cultural norm in India.**

  • Photography:

Always ask permission before taking photographs, especially inside religious sites.

  • Offerings:

    • Be respectful of the vendor’s time and effort. Don’t be afraid to respectfully offer a price that reflects the value of your work.

Respect the “Namaste” greeting:

  • Respect for Beliefs: It’s important to be aware of and respect any religious or cultural customs associated with the item, such as the use of incense or offerings during prayer.

  • Offerings:

Remember that many people in India are deeply religious and “Namaste” is a way to show respect to the gods and goddesses.

Gifts and Gratitude:

  • In India, it’s considered disrespectful to say no to an offering, so be prepared to be respectful of their beliefs.**

Be Respectful of Customs:

  • Be aware of the local culture and customs when traveling in India. Respecting the “rules” of a place is important for showing respect.

Transportation:

  • Traffic and crowds:

Be patient and understanding with people who are trying to get around the city.

  • Remember that traffic can be chaotic and congested, so plan for extra travel time.

Offerings:

  • In India, it’s common to take off your shoes at a temple or mosque as a sign of respect.

Food:

  • Offer to pay with your right hand only

  • “Namaste” is a respectful greeting in India.

  • Respect:

Remember that the elderly are often seen as respected figures in society.

  • Offerings (cont.):

    • Be mindful of the local culture and customs when traveling.

Remember: In India, it’s considered a good idea to use your right hand for everything

  • Respecting the deity:

For example, if you are in a market, remember that the vendor is working hard to earn money. If you are going to be offering something:

  • You can offer food with your left hand.

Remember to be respectful of the locals and their beliefs.

  • Food:

It’s important to follow the customs of the people around you.

  • Respecting Respect:

Learn about the local culture and practices before your trip.

  • Be mindful of the fact that “God” is often a sensitive topic, so it’s important to be respectful of all beliefs.

  • Travel Etiquette:

    • Dress modestly: Covering your shoulders and legs when entering religious sites is a sign of respect.

Respect for local customs:

Rickshaw drivers often have a strong sense of community. *

If you’re not comfortable with the “Namaste” custom, ask if they prefer to use your right hand for the offering.

  • Be respectful of the “Namaste” greeting:

Use it as a way to:

  • Acknowledge and greet the person who will be receiving the food
  • Greet people in India with respect: It is considered disrespectful to refuse an offering, especially if you’re a foreigner.

For example,

If you are invited to a home, it’s polite to offer a small gift, like flowers or sweets. Respecting local customs:

Be aware of the cultural sensitivities surrounding certain items, such as alcohol or meat products.

  • “Namaste” is not just a greeting: It’s a gesture that shows respect for the person you are interacting with.

Remember that the “Namaste” gesture

  • Can be used for greetings and farewells
  • Is often used when thanking someone

For example, if you’re attending a religious ceremony in India:

  • Be prepared to make an offering
  • Bring gifts for your hosts.
  • Learn about the specific traditions of the deity or religion.

is important to remember that:

  • You should be respectful and offer it with your right hand.

Remember:

  • Food is a powerful symbol in many cultures: The idea of “offering” food in India is often a way to show respect for the gods and goddesses
  • The person’s left hand (and shoes) are important.

Use the “Namaste” gesture when:

  • Greeting someone with the right hand, but you don’t need to use your left hand.
  • Remember that: The “Namaste” gesture is a way of acknowledging and greeting someone.

Respecting the elderly is a cultural value: It’s a sign of respect for the deity or god/goddesses.

Please Note: This is just a general guide, and there are variations in customs and traditions depending on region and religion. It’s best to do further research and learn about local practices before your trip.**