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Is it more dangerous to travel in India or the US?

Originally part of Female travelers in India

What is your opinion or experience?

15 years ago, February 11th 2009 No: 1 Msg: #62824 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

.....Some tips if you are traveling in India, always carry a pepper spray and a swiss knife or a pair of sharp scissors. Apart from molestation, you may have unpleasant experiences of people trying to mug you and steal your bags or money.

Always use the main roads to travel, specially if alone - and I would not bais this based on gender. Avoid traveling late at night unless you are positive about commuting back late at night - if you have a friend you'd drop you back or a cab guy who can be trusted.

Dont get drunk and under the influence of drugs while traveling, this would make you more susceptible to ruffians.
: :
: :
I have travelled a lot in India and most of it alone, so would always advice to keep to yourself and not to befriend strangers in trains and buses. Never leave your luggage back with them or take food offered by them. Also, never offer to look after their children or their luggage, might just land you in trouble. Its ok to be indifferent till you reach your destination.

Quote by Tanya 0608

come on tanya its really not so bad.....this is not america where you cant walk some streets after 10....

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15 years ago, February 11th 2009 No: 2 Msg: #62827 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Does anyone know of a website or information source that has the crime statistics for India and the US, so we can compare? Reply to this

15 years ago, February 11th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #62828 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

I have travelled a lot in India and most of it alone, so would always advice to keep to yourself and not to befriend strangers in trains and buses. Never leave your luggage back with them or take food offered by them. Also, never offer to look after their children or their luggage, might just land you in trouble. Its ok to be indifferent till you reach your destination.

I chatted and shared some chai and candy with people on the trains last time I was in India. But I was a mother travelling with a little child, and maybe that makes me safer because people respect families. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 11th 2009 No: 4 Msg: #62869 Delete Edit

klund182
Krista Lundgren

B Posts: 26

I live in California and I have never been robbed or anything in the states. That's not to say you shouldn't have your head on straight and make sure you are always looking out for yourself. I believe you can travel safely anywhere in the world as long as you are smart. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 12th 2009 No: 5 Msg: #62878 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

okie I travel in india and i go around even in the nights in local trains with my gold chain and ring .....I have never been mugged.....Yes there were pick pockets but they dont actually point gun at you or knife at you...they pick your pocket without you knowing....Its a lot safer in India then a few streets in new york. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 12th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #62881 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

please have a look at the murder rates between India and Usa.....

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita

India is below USA and that too if you compare the poverty India has ....and the population extrapolation between both countries...I would say Usa is way ahead of us in crime of this kind....

In indian poverty dosent induce crime as it does in Usa because of the value system we have.......
I really dont know why the poor in India ..inspite of being neglected so much by the government...still choose to work hard and never think of crime as an easy way....
I think religion plays a big role ...we believe in karma perhaps that or perhaps something else but crime is not a way out....for indians.

Also please have a look at this link below..

http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/countries-with-highest-reported-crime-rates.html

http://www.securityworld.com/ia-431-international-crime-statistics.aspx

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4480

http://www.unwire.org/unwire/20020715/27649_story.asp

i quote Tanya deshmukh below

"Some tips if you are traveling in India, always carry a pepper spray and a swiss knife or a pair of sharp scissors. Apart from molestation, you may have unpleasant experiences of people trying to mug you and steal your bags or money."

This is a very very rare case where people will mug foriegners...there are instances of pickpocketing(which again is very rare) but no one will point a gun at you or try to rob you upfront.
Most indians are a lot thinner and weaker compared to beef eating europeans.

"Always use the main roads to travel, specially if alone - and I would not bais this based on gender. Avoid traveling late at night unless you are positive about commuting back late at night - if you have a friend you'd drop you back or a cab guy who can be trusted."

I can say this with some confidence....Most indian cities are very very safe at night and you are welcome to enjoy our night life.Especially in delhi and banglore.

Dont get drunk and under the influence of drugs while traveling, this would make you more susceptible to ruffians.
: :
: :
I have travelled a lot in India and most of it alone, so would always advice to keep to yourself and not to befriend strangers in trains and buses. Never leave your luggage back with them or take food offered by them. Also, never offer to look after their children or their luggage, might just land you in trouble. Its ok to be indifferent till you reach your destination. "

yes you should not get drugs as its bad for health and YOU would be susceptible.....but that can be in any part of the world....but even then you would find some friendly person who would perhaps try to get you on your feet.
You can befriend people in trains and busses no problem there either..I think tanya would do better to travel with people next time....instead of travelling like the way she describes here ...totally afraid and scared all the time with knives and pepper spray's ...its funny ...In india its commen practice to ask strangers while travelling in trains to look after their luggage or for you to leave your luggage with complete strangers especially when you are travelling long distance.Its normal and natural....I dont know what to say about this paranoid post which scares you away even from looking after children ...which again is a commen practice in India...

YES IT IS OK TO BE INDIFFERENT TILL YOU REACH YOUR DESTINATION BUT ITS ALSO OK IF YOU STAY BACK IN THE COUNTRY OF YOUR ORIGIN...;-) INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING IN INDIA...WHERE THE REAL MAGIC LIES IN connnecting with the people and their culture.

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15 years ago, February 12th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #62914 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

I really dont know why the poor in India ..inspite of being neglected so much by the government...still choose to work hard and never think of crime as an easy way....

I think many do turn to crime in India. Tourists frequently complain of being scammed, robbed and harassed.

Most indians are a lot thinner and weaker compared to beef eating europeans.

I am not so sure I would be able to physically fight off an Indian man, despite they do tend to be smaller on average than European men.

I can say this with some confidence....Most indian cities are very very safe at night and you are welcome to enjoy our night life.Especially in delhi and banglore.

I dont think I would feel comfortable wandering around alone in either and Indian or a US city.
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15 years ago, February 12th 2009 No: 8 Msg: #62915 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Most indians are a lot thinner and weaker compared to beef eating europeans.

We are comparing India with the US in this thread. Should we include Europe too?

UMM! Is our bigger size due to beef eating?
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15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 9 Msg: #62995 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

Hi Mell,

when i said europeans ...i meant america + europe...because america has a lot of europeans who migrated there long back.......

I dont think you would need to fight off anybody in India...India is safe to travel alone or to travel in groups..
Yes I do agree with you that tourists are scammed and robbed and harassed.... which is not so often ....You only need to be careful and know how to get them off your back.

I would like to reiterate that india is still not top most in the crime list....given the poverty extrapolation and population between these two countries it should have topped the list...but it dosent top the list....that was my point..That is based on our value system ...and i used the poor as the example...most scamsters are educated and either well to do or middle class ...the poor work hard and dont get into crime(I meant generally and not so often as in other countries....)

If it happens in India it happens in other places as well.

you find more people with smiling faces compared to worried ridden faces of western countries...(i sometimes wonder why they are so dull and why they refuse to smile at all....inspite of having all the wealth..)

Anyway I am only trying to say that it is safe to be friends with strangers in India.That is the point i tried to make...
I m not saying India is better and usa is bad etc etc etc...that is really out the point.....but sorry if I took you in that direction.

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15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 10 Msg: #62996 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

bigger size no...stronger size .... yes ...I think its beef eating....;-) around 25 percent of indians are veggis.... Reply to this

15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 11 Msg: #63022 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

That is based on our value system ...and i used the poor as the example...most scamsters are educated and either well to do or middle class ...

One would think that the well educated would have more options open to them than selling drugs, trying to scam money out of tourists, prostitution........

And we do have religion in Europe and the US........ And a value system too. Many of our countries are the world leaders in human rights and democratic standards. Perfection our countries are not, but we are still making rapid progress in those areas.

I am not sure that religion causes less crime and evil in society, but I do believe that pure spirituality does and spirituality is not unique to India.

you find more people with smiling faces compared to worried ridden faces of western countries...(i sometimes wonder why they are so dull and why they refuse to smile at all....inspite of having all the wealth..)

Well, we do smile and enjoy life. There are some things that wipe the smiles off our faces though.

bigger size no...stronger size .... yes ...I think its beef eating....;-) around 25 percent of indians are veggis....

I became a vegetarian when I was 11. Judging by my height and health level I am not so sure vegetarianism causes weakness and lack of strength. But, I am not sure what this has to do with whether there is more crime in the US and Europe, than in India?

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15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 12 Msg: #63028 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Anyway I am only trying to say that it is safe to be friends with strangers in India.

Yes, that is indeed true. We met some very nice people when we were in India. I suppose it can be a question of remaining open to meeting nice people, despite all the ones we meet on a daily basis who want to scam and harass us. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 13 Msg: #63030 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

I dont think the crime level is the same in all Western cities and countries.

For example, I would feel it safe enough to walk aound most/all streets of Munich,Germany where I live, at night, but would feel more apprehensive about doing that in Los Angles for example. And there are parts of Dublin where I would not go at night, especially by myself. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 14 Msg: #63052 Delete Edit

SurfSleepEat
Dana

N Posts: 38

I live in the U.S. and right next to a ghetto(the ghetto surrounds FSU) and it's not really dangerous. You just be smart and confident. Of course I have had 3 bikes stolen and my car broken into.

I think it's the same for any place you go, if you plan on going to a bad part of town then keep your wits about you.

Mel, I think its where you're comfortable with and knowledgable about the area when you feel safe the most, but yah I too would never walk around LA at night, actually not even the day either

Dana

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15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 15 Msg: #63055 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Mel, I think its where you're comfortable with and knowledgable about the area .......

It is more than that, because I have spent years in both Dublin and Munich and have different opinions about how safe it is to wander around at night in both.

My opinion has to do with the number of unpleasant or threatening incidents I have or people I know have experienced in both cities. Granted, I dont know how accurate my intuition on this is, because I havent compared the crime stats for each city. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 16 Msg: #63064 Delete Edit

Debtravel
Debbie

B Posts: 212

I'd like to add my two cents worth to this thread. I can't really say much about the US as I have only briefly been in New York. But I spent 6 months travelling around India on my own - I was with other travellers for much of the time but spent quite a lot of time by myself and certainly travelling from place to place by myself. My own experience was that I never once felt unsafe or threatened the whole of my time in India. Obviously it's wise to take precautions as with travelling (or even living) anywhere, and I know people who have had other experiences in India. I don't know if I was just lucky, but given I was there for such a long time, if it was that unsafe, then chances are I would have had some bad experience somewhere along the way, in 6 months. Of course there are the scams and the hasslings, and unfortunately sometimes robbing, and tourists, who are perceived as rich and naive, are a potential target. India is a complex country, struggling to raise itself from third-world status into the super power club, and wobbling on its unsteady and inadequate foundations. It has many dark sides and my time spent there opened my eyes to a lot of them. But it also has a multitude of bright sides, and has a genuine human warmth I have rarely come across in the western world. If I had never opened myself up to people there, and accepted their help, I would have had a much less rich experience than I did. My most precious memories of India are those in which I connected with the people there; people who insisted on sharing their dinner with me on the train, people who ran over to help me when I was stranded at some bus stand with no idea of how to get to the next place; people who gave me chai and told me their life story while I watched them sew up my parcels in cotton so they could be sent; people who, yes, I had to trust, otherwise it would have meant never going to the loo on the train; a man who didn't even speak to me, but who held on to my backpack for me (which I had been separated from during a bus crush) the entire 3 hour journey so that it wouldn't fly out of the bus door.
Like I said, it's wise to keep your eyes open, use your common sense, take care of yourself etc. But too much paranoia may also keep you away from the magic as much as it does the dangers. 😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, February 14th 2009 No: 17 Msg: #63090 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

Hi debbie...

Thank you for your excellent post....That is precisely what I meant....to avoid paranoid behaviour and to chill out...India will welcome you with warm heart.

Hi Mel,

(One would think that the well educated would have more options open to them than selling drugs, trying to scam money out of tourists, prostitution........)

Yes fortunately we guys here do very well in education and some of the poor in my country do excellently ...some studying under street lamps ....to become engineers and doctors.....they rarely mug people or get into prostitution...its not glamourous here. ;-)

Around 25% to 30% of NASA scientists are indians....and I can bore you with the list of indian achievements....but i think its unnecessary here.

ah yes we dont do that much drugs like in the west.....Most indian youngsters dont even smoke....
around 4 percent of my classmates did that.

I dont know much about prostitution but it is a terrible thing and women trafficking does happen in India and its sad....Its also a very high on aids.
This should be a warning to westerners who scout india for sex.

(And we do have religion in Europe and the US........ And a value system too. Many of our countries are the world leaders in human rights and democratic standards. Perfection our countries are not, but we are still making rapid progress in those areas.)

I do agree that America is a bible belt but dont agree that europe is religious...I was there and I know that religion has lost its ground ... among the old who hated the role of vatican during the second world war and among the young who dont want to be told how to live their lives.

Spirituality in India is alive in our lives in every way...One person from US said he was surprised at the way india's young are so religious and spirutual.
I am yet to see such kind of religious fervour in any country in europe as I see in India.

(I became a vegetarian when I was 11. Judging by my height and health level I am not so sure vegetarianism causes weakness and lack of strength. But, I am not sure what this has to do with whether there is more crime in the US and Europe, than in India)

I think I made a off hand remark that went the wrong way....I meant that most indians are not even half the height and strenght of an european....you are right in what you said above.

( I suppose it can be a question of remaining open to meeting nice people, despite all the ones we meet on a daily basis who want to scam and harass us.)

Yes ....I agree with you....It is a little like a black tourist or indian tourist walking in the streets of europe and being harassed by police at every step embarassingly while the locals pass by smiling widely.
or entering a shop in europe and not being greeted or attended to.
or being a student and going to the arbietsamt and being given low level labour job every time while good jobs being given to you know who....Yes it happes in countries which are world leaders in human rights....

That is why I said ..if it happens in india it happens everywhere...but only in another form.

(but I do believe that pure spirituality does and spirituality is not unique to India.)

I think the spirituality that I felt and expirienced is unique to India and cannot be found anywhere else.This is my personal expirience.

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15 years ago, February 14th 2009 No: 18 Msg: #63096 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

...they rarely mug people or get into prostitution...its not glamourous here. ;-)

Is it glamourous somewhere?

I was there and I know that religion has lost its ground ...

Well, I am listening to the church bells accross from my house as I post this. But some controls have been put on religion in Europe to protect people from the more harmful aspects of it.

Yes ....I agree with you....It is a little like a black tourist or indian tourist walking in the streets of europe and being harassed by police at every step embarassingly while the locals pass by smiling widely.
or entering a shop in europe and not being greeted or attended to.
or being a student and going to the arbietsamt and being given low level labour job every time while good jobs being given to you know who....Yes it happes in countries which are world leaders in human rights....

You really think that most of us are like this in Europe, or do you realise that you are describing the most ignorant Europeans? As for the police harassing people for being non white? Are you sure about that? Germany where I live is fighting very hard against rascism. Rascism does exist but there are so many anti rascism groups opposing it.
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15 years ago, February 14th 2009 No: 19 Msg: #63113 Delete Edit

rakesh
rakesh reddy

D Posts: 98

Hi again,

(Is it glamourous somewhere?)

well if according to you educated of India get into prostitution(which i never mentioned) or sell drugs(which I never admitted) then may be its glamorous elsewhere....

(Well, I am listening to the church bells accross from my house as I post this. But some controls have been put on religion in Europe to protect people from the more harmful aspects of it. )

IT is not large churches or their noisy bells that decide if religion is strong in a nation....I go by church attendence....this link below is about it.Please go through it.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-08-10-europe-religion-cover_x.htm

(You really think that most of us are like this in Europe, or do you realise that you are describing the most ignorant Europeans? As for the police harassing people for being non white? Are you sure about that? Germany where I live is fighting very hard against rascism. Rascism does exist but there are so many anti rascism groups opposing it. )

Yes most europeans are like that.....Most german towns and cities are biased and many times they are very very rude to foriegners.Its a fact that i know of...Its difficult for african or indian or asians to get a room or a home in a decent locality.....and those who live in those localities are not ignorant europeans but educated and well established ones...I know of many such incidences ....I asked my professor about it and he said you dont know...its worse in france....I went on a trip there and found it to be true....Only thing is europeans are embarassed about it a little because of what happened during the second world war...

Yes the police in germany or france is terrible....I have not gone out of my home without being stopped atleast twice ...everyday in the city I lived...I asked the police why are you doing this.....and he said "to stop cirme"...

I wish the german government finds a decent way to tell its people that there are many many germans who are drug addicted and who indulge in crime as well...But none of them is ever stopped.
AT every gathering somehow you are made to be different or alieanated...and for this I thank America where people are more open and friendly....Americans are polite ....and very nice people....Compared to europe.....

As far as womens rights are concerned in India I m not sure that western women are completely liberated.
I know a german friend of mine who said the CDU wont come to power because they want a women to lead us.....Come on a women cant lead us....not merkel.....But then i said she is ambitious and I can see it.....she will come to power...and she did (and she is doing a fine job).

Comming to think of it we had Indira Gandhi long long back to lead us...and sarojini naidu was the foremost in india's freedom struggle.

A women of my office where in worked in bonn complained of sexual harassment by her boss to me.She said there is nothing she can do about it even though the law exists against it.

When europeans live in glass houses themselves ...How can they throw stones at somebody else.....

I was a little hurt at the way the whole groping incident was put up and was discussed ....with people saying indians dont have sex until 33 and thats why they do it....

Yes I do agree that foriegners are harassed with high prices(scammed according to you) but then the general assumption in India is that these guys are rich and can afford to pay us higher price....

By the way that is the assumption of the indian government too.....that is why you guys pay higher than us when you visit the Taj.

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15 years ago, February 14th 2009 No: 20 Msg: #63125 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Only thing is europeans are embarassed about it a little because of what happened during the second world war...

I think, a lot of us are embarassed about it because we think it is wrong. We want rascism to stop but still it lives on. It is not easy to be a white person and see another white person being rascist. It is very embarassing and we can feel helpless when faced with ignorance and dont know what to do. I think, that if a person does or says something rascist here, there are many who will stand up and oppose it. One time I heard a man tell a non white man to go back to his own country. Immediately 4 German men stood up and told him to shut up now. There are many who seriously oppose rascism and not just becaue of the war.

Yes the police in germany or france is terrible....I have not gone out of my home without being stopped atleast twice ...everyday in the city I lived...I asked the police why are you doing this.....and he said "to stop cirme"...

If the police do that these days in Germany, it is a scandal at the level that it will be reported in the newspapers.

A women of my office where in worked in bonn complained of sexual harassment by her boss to me.

That is another thing that is being faught against in European society, but also something that changes at a frustratingly slow pace.

I was a little hurt at the way the whole groping incident was put up and was discussed ....with people saying indians dont have sex until 33 and thats why they do it....

Yeah, I agree that is rather an extreme suggestion. I suppose when people experiece something distressing they also start considering what is causing it and come up with all kinds of posibilies which are not always realistic or reasonable.

Yes I do agree that foriegners are harassed with high prices(scammed according to you) but then the general assumption in India is that these guys are rich and can afford to pay us higher price....

I suppose a lot of the time we want to shed our foreigness and be treated like everybody else, and then when people keep looking on us as walking wallets and immoral Westerners, and different....... I suppose we give into frustration and start making extreme comments about people in the countries we visit instead of being patient and openminded enough to get to know people who may treat us differently if we give them a chance.

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