Worst Things 99% of Tourists Can't Avoid in India 

I'm a white foreigner who has been living in India for 10 years now, and I have to say, the last time someone attempted to scam me was around 9 years ago. Just like anywhere, when you come across as a tourist, you look like an easy mark to a lot of people. And I feel many foreigners in India end up playing along with such scams because they are scared of coming across impolite. Don't be scared of seeming impolite. Whoever comes rushing you with some offer or the other, you ignore them, you don't even look at them, doesn't matter if it's shop owners, taxi drivers or rickshaw guys. The people proactively approaching you - the fat white goose to shake money out of - don't deserve your politeness, period. If you agreed on a rickshaw/taxi price, you give that and only that. If they complain you walk away. But yeah, fare price scams are the only scams you can't really avoid, because except for Mumbai - which is awesome for most everyone going by meter - they'll take advantage of any stranger, not just foreigners btw. Never have more money visible in your wallet. I have a smaller 'commute wallet' that never holds more than 200-300 rupees. You want to create a ruckus because suddenly you want 500 after only asking 100, here that's all i have and i can't give it all to you. call the police if you want, you're getting your 100 and not a rupee more. It does help btw to speak some Hindi (in the North that is). And yeah, open cremation is very much a traditional cultural aspect in certain cities still (not everywhere, mind, in many cities it's closed electric cremation only) and if you suspect you cannot take the brute reality of life and death, stay away from the burning grounds. I get it, in the west we tend to give our elderly and dying to hospitals and care homes and rarely are confronted with actual corpses, so that is bound to be a big cultural shock. In India death is not kept hidden the same way. A corpse will be prepared for cremation and laid out for people to say their last goodbyes at home for some time, then carried through the streets on a stretcher to the cremation grounds. Again, if you feel this might traumatize you, this is not the place for you. Anyway, generally really loved your video. It gives me a lot of nostalgia about my first year in India. It's maybe also the curse of the short term tourist that skews one's experience. I did quite some backpacking my first year, but I also lived and worked here, which made me learn how to deal with everyday life differently. Eventually I felt comfortable enough to not ever want to leave and I've lived here ever since.

I've travelled to enough countries to know that India is not for me, but I love your perspective on it.

I just wouldn't be able to cope with being pestered and stared at. I see people make excuses for it, saying people are interested and see foreigners like celebrities, but that doesn't make it any easier for the person on the receiving end. We were always brought up being told it's rude to stare. As always, your filming and narrating is wonderful 🥰

I love every speech you share about culture, you are the most informative and professional traveler! Through this video, I saw a different India from my impression. This kind of in-depth-travel video is what I yearn for! I like your edit very much, great job, thank you for sharing! 👍🥰🙏

I want to add something to your story about the scams in India. What you're referring to happens mainly in North India outside the Himalayas. I live in Kashmir and no such scams happen here, for instance no need to bargain over the price of a riksha, the rikshawallas actually charge the right price. BTW the price of a riksha in general is about Rs 25 per km, so when you take a riksha for 3,5 km, price should not be more than Rs 100 (I nearly always get the right price, if they don't take you, skip them and try another). Prices in different cities may differ, but not too much. Also South India is with much less scams and even beggars are hardly seen in South India. For traveling in India, you must be smart, but surely every first time traveller in India will be scammed. That happened to me too, even Indians are scammed when traveling in an unknown city. BTW in Delhi best travel by metro, which is very cheap and very fast (but hold on to your valuables and keep your backpack on your belly instead of back). Staring indeed happens, also only in North India. You can simply tell them to leave. Even, if necessary, act angrily (maybe shouting in your own language being not English) and they'll run, although they may keep on staring on a longer distance. You have to be firm! And yes, you can get a Delhi belly, know how to handle. Keep on eating Marie biscuits, white rice, banana and most of all curd (dahi) and drink water in sips with ORS, don't take immodium for that may lead to blood poisoning; avoid chili when sick. By keeping on eating, you can retain some energy and keep on traveling. Don't stop eating as usually advised in Europe, for than you will be sick for a long long time and will be unable to move, to travel. And indeed, when people ask you something (a selfi or whatever it is you don't want), again be firm and say no. I am not in the mood, busy, going somewhere or whatever. When they want to sell you something, tell them that you're traveling, no space for extra luggage, don't show any interest, for when you do, the game starts. I could advise much more. Last winter I have been traveling nearly 10000 km mainly by train and bus from the north to east, to south and back north. No scams happened to me. I only had very good experiences, actually best experiences ever. When you know how to behave in India, the fun and the happiness starts.

Love your videos. Keep well and safe x

I really love the way your videos are made .. Like the commentary really feels professional .... And it feels so real.... 😁

Another great video 🤗 Guys you have amazing souls and I love watching You 🥰🤗😘

When I go to India, I always plan a trip for a few months because the first month is usually spent dealing with an upset stomach. Still i love the place and try to go yearly. Oddly I never get much attention on the street being i am an old fat white guy. I suspect it would be a different story if I were a pretty young lady. If you get a chance head to the South. It is a completely different vibe from the North there. Loved your video. Great work.

Thanks to you I confirmed once again I don't wanna visit that country ever 😂

Oh gosh, it must be awful being ill in the van. We hope you are both feeling well again. Yet another interesting vlog, thank you.

Most honest open travel blog. Not a bunch of b.s. Instagram shots splice together. Thank you for all your hard work .

Hahaha I laughed so much during this video. Thank you for your honesty :) India was never on my wish list, now I think I will skip it in this lifetime for sure :)

Hey Joe and Liisu I was in Goa 25 yrs ago (Benidorm of India ) I'm sure much has Changed n Not For The Better ..But Tourists are Targets everywhere ..Eventually Everyone Understands F##k Off Might not Be Polite To Say...But Annoying Scammers are Not Polite Either ..🤔 Stay Free and Safe Travels 👍😎

You've summed it up perfectly and I especially like what you've said at the end of the video. I learned a new tip from you guys: 'picture for the police'. 😂 I will use this one on my future travels.

Hello bro today I saw you in indore and I see your car is amazing bro

You are not ready for india. Accept india at it is , and india will love you

A good thing about the food for first timers; go to your local India/Pakistani/Bangladeshi store in your hometown and start eating the wonderful and spicy things. Stay safe ❤

On one side I appreciate your honesty. Same time your suffering came from ignorance & lack of knowledge or research my friend. Many foreigners travel to unusual places (remote villages?) with unusual travel mode, how would less educated & opportunistic society would treat? Indians like us themselves get scammed, forget about foreigners! Also, I never came across any foreigner who said "no" to selfies. You must deny them invasion on privacy but all foreigners take it for granted. Next time should go to Himalayas, beaches or dense forest part of India. Prefer Mumbai or Bangalore over Delhi. Visit some ancient site (Khajuraho is sort of thing you must not have seen anywhere, I am sure.)I think you will love it.

7:41 "my red is turning face".......I love the slip there lol. I know the feeling, but I am strangely addicted to it though.

Very cool. I live full time in a van in Australia, I've never seen a vanner in India till now. Great work and happy travels. ✌️

Come to Kerala, the southern most part of India. Things are different here...

excellent video

Thank you for showing what it's really like. Should I visit this country, my expectations will be realistic and I won't feel unprepared. Your honesty is much appreciated.

Honest vlogger❤

hahaha i actually like this video its more like funny and entertaining video😁😆😆👌

lots of love from Shravasti ❤ maybe one day I'll visit Estonia

Please come to South Indian and see the real beauty of India.. I suggest you come in winter November to February is best time visit India

It does become nerve wracking but you need to stand your ground. India is worth visiting, just don’t be a sucker. Love your videos!

Dude, what a Story! How was with parking your Van and when you had to leave it parked to go and see (visit) a place or buy something?

Omg. I’m never stepping foot in that part of India.

Can you just take Imodium or Pepto bismol for the duration of your trip to prevent diarrhea or is it inevitable?

Actually the taxi/tuk-tuk scam is same for Indians as well. We experience it every day in Bangalore. Giving half-eaten food to the poor man on the street was not right. And the river ghat with burning pyres......no one asked you to go there. Many of us don't.

So you choose specifically those places where you should not want to go and you decide India is bad place. And chose exactly where to go In Pakistan and you decide Pakistan is modern country. Very nice and unbiased channel. Keep it up. 😂

I went to Calcutta backs in the '70s and it was like arriving on the planet Mars with aliens.

We just eat chicken with bone.. boneless is something of a luxury.. its whats normal here, not that we are less picky

ahhh VARANASI! Yes, the air smells barbeque ahmmmm hehehehe Yet I loved the place especially in early morning or at night when the ghats are empty, sitting on staircases sipping tea, the silence is soothing and truly comforting. I don't know what's it all about in Varanasi. Was it the feeling of holiness?

What a hardcore Viking. Valhalla awaits.

I just tell India Taxis to call the police if they are not happy with the price we already agreed on at the start of the taxi ride. And then I walk away while they are shouting.

Stay safe ❣️🇵🇰

I think we need to work a lot in many sectors... We'll improve, we are improving actually... The fking authorities need to be serious otherwise 1.5 billion's image will keep getting ruined by the actions of few millions...

Ehmm secret : India is one of the top exporters of Beef **

You guys never fully explored India. You just traveled the Golden Triangle route, like typical Westerners. India is not just limited to these 3-4 states. The southern part of India offers historical cities like Hampi, the Kerala backwaters, temples in Tamil Nadu, and hill stations like Munnar and Ooty. We also have the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands, which offer some of the best beaches and underwater activities in Asia. In western India, there's Goa and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which showcase some of the most impressive architecture in the world. The northeastern part of India boasts amazing natural beauty, especially in states like Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. In the northern part of India, there are incredible travel destinations like Kashmir and Ladakh that offer unique experiences. India has some of the best valleys, including the Parvati Valley, Kangra Valley, Spiti Valley, Betaab Valley, Gurez Valley, Baisaran Valley, Aru Valley, Nelong Valley, Yumthang Valley, Tirthan Valley, and unique villages like Malana, Kasol, Mawlynnong, Nako, Ziro, Agatti Island, Kuttanad, and Sonmarg. Additionally, India is home to amazing architectural wonders like the Phugtal Monastery, Khajuraho temples, Mahabodhi Temple, Key Monastery, Tawang Monastery, Badami Caves, Konark Sun Temple, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Thikse Monastery, Rani Ki Vav, and Nalanda University. Even though you are traveling from Europe to Asia in your own vehicle, you haven't explored the highest motorable road in the world, Umling La Pass, located in Ladakh, India. It seems like you have only visited some stereotypical places and moved on.

Which is more developed india or Pakistan?

India I love this country why I love their food plus all to all their barfi yea very best of best moment I love india I love food .

Why didnt you guys go to South india ,it is a pristine place

I like your honesty.. atleast u r not milking Indian audiance.Most of yt just showing what ppl want to see.. Hope u will not get hate .. i m sure few ppl will give u hate but dont mind them..

which country should visit, india or pakistan?

Us We have go to ajmer sharif kwaja gareeb nawaz OR KGN these place is best of best place in india best of best I love their food plus barfi and lot of things we pass a good moment too but me I love food always me and my mother has go there but truly I love this place I, over these food they are delicious too .

For your next road tax! :D

I was laughing out loud through out the video because I really thought I was the only one in this world who do not know how to cross the streets in India hahahaha I just felt I would be dead before reaching the other side of the street. Indians thank goodness, are always kind to let me hold their arms for my dear life while navigating the streets hehehe Thanks God I was always mistaken as Chinese. So, persistent drivers, fixers, vendors, masseurs, ear cleaner ehehehe, I would proclaimed CHINESE, NO ENGLISH. SORRY. hehehe. Me too had diarrhea hahaha and the pharmacy could not understand my american pronunciation of immodium, I have to write it down. Afraid to be sick again, I sustained myself with bottled water, fruits, eggs and freshly baked bread until I left India. I lost 18lbs. for my 28days in India.

Uber works there * u can try that

🧐🌶🛺♥

Is true many photo

❤ from Pakistan.

bro research more buddha was born on nepal

Fake Viking doesn't know cremation is also a Viking tradition !

Time for China ??

Im more calme in india

Hahaha 😂 India

Hi brother you comte Kolkata and visit Biggest Temple (Iskcon temple)

Thanks for deleting my comment twice. 👍👍

Pakistan is much better and hospitable.We had great experience there by visiting its Northern side. People were too much polite and guiding us in every aspect❤

Honestly you have covered and showed india so badly that not how exactly it is. There is much more that will make you awe of it. So next time do better research and planning to see and travel or just don't travel to india. India is way beyond you can ever think or imagine.

I would never ever go to india even if it is all expenses paid.i ll be the one to pay not to invite me to go.Too much scarry too dangerous too much filthy too much chaos.Even just by watching videos i cannot stomach anything.

@Wild Viking Travels, I believe you're still in India, well this is my 2 cents for you, don't even bother to say NO, just don't look at them, keep move and act like you don't understand. Say something in your language and not in English😉😉. And it'll work. 😁 And thank me later 😉😁

Sana defalarca söyledim Türkiye de başka bir ülkeye gitme

Benden sana tavsiye Türk olduğunu söyle ve arabanın farklı noktalarına Türk bayrağı yapıştır seni hertrü kötülükten korur

went to visit France once and got pick pocketed, no one makes vlogs on it sine its a Whiteman nation.

Pls dont follow this video. This is not right information...this is just wrong information, this is information based on 1% of what this guy saw and upsetting where he was staying...

Please report he is spreading fake news !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scammer youtuber from Estonia putting misleading title😂 Crying for 1 dollar.

as i looked more chinkier and comparatively pale the thought me I'm a Chinese person and the passive aggression was really awkward and due to Bollywood movies I'm a bit of hindi speaker as well and as soon as they figure I'm a Nepalese person the attitude quickly shifted lol that was some bitter sweet memories I've made across the border

9:14 there is Nepali old man🇳🇵😊