A woman from the UK has drawn widespread attention online after she shared her experience of travelling across India and challenging several stereotypes often associated with the country. After visiting
Delhi, Aurangabad, Jaipur, Udaipur and Goa with her partner, she decided to address the assumptions she had repeatedly heard before her trip.
In a detailed post on Instagram, she responded to some of the most common myths about India, like cleanliness and safety of food, trains and culture.
‘India Is Dirty And Chaotic’
One of the first claims she addressed was the idea that India is messy and disorganised.
“India is developing rapidly. You’ll find plenty of clean, well-organised areas—even in Delhi. (Pro tip: visit the New Delhi side!)” she wrote.
‘It’s Too Dangerous For Solo Female Travellers’
Safety concerns are often raised, particularly for women travelling alone.
According to her, “India is one of the most transformative places you’ll ever visit.”
“Many women travel here solo. Most people are simply curious and chatty rather than having ulterior motives. There’s a big difference between the laid-back South and the hectic North, but in tourist hubs, you’ll be absolutely fine if you stay informed,” she added.
‘There Are Beggars Everywhere’
Addressing poverty, she wrote: “There are beggars everywhere.” Poverty exists, just as it does in many parts of the world. While you will see it in certain areas, it is not exclusive to India, nor does it define the entire country.”
‘Street Food Is Unhygienic’
Food-related myths were also part of her post. She urged her followers not to believe everything that is shown on social media for “clout.”
“No one is cooking with their feet. There is incredible, clean, and delicious street food that you’d be a fool to miss out on,” the post mentioned.
‘All Trains Are Overcrowded And Chaotic’
Indian rail travel is often stereotyped as chaotic. She addressed this saying that Indian Railways has options for “every budget.”
“If you book a higher class, you’ll get AC, a comfortable bed, and hot meals—it’s often better than a hotel,” she added.
‘All Indian Food Is Spicy’
Another assumption she challenged was about food being uniformly spicy. According to her, people can find “no spice” options as well, and Western food is widely available in most cities.
‘All Marriages Are Arranged’
Cultural stereotypes also featured in her list. She mentioned that love marriages have become common across the country, with “India’s massive diversity, every state has different traditions and practices.”
‘Everyone Speaks The Same Language’
Finally, she addressed the misconception that India functions as a single-language nation. She said that India has 22 official languages and over 1,600 dialects.
“Someone from the North and someone from the South might not even understand each other—it’s like a Swede trying to talk to someone from Greece,” she concluded.
Her post has resonated with many readers who say it presents a more balanced perspective.
