HINDUISM AND INDIAN CULTURE/TABOOS

Here are some facts and taboos that are frowned upon for Hindus in general and not just in India as it's easy to associate India with Hinduism. I'll be posting about them together though as it's clear Hinduism is most prevalent in India and the culture and religion overlap each other quite alot.

• Many Hindus, especially Brahmin Hindus abstain from eating meat, and are vegetarian
• Among Hindus many people discourage eating onion and garlic along with non-vegetarian food during festivals or Hindu holy months of Shrawan and Kartik.
• Consumption of human flesh is forbidden in Hinduism
• In some castes widows are forbidden from eating meat
• The 4 castes are Brahmin (priestly), Kshatriya (defence), Vaisya (agriculture and business) and Shudra (menial labour)
• Alcohol and narcotics are forbidden with traditional Hindus
• It's also a taboo to collect fruit or break plants after sunset, origins of this could be back in the day before lights were available, it would be dangerous to pick at night, so it became taboo as you could hurt yourself or get sick from eating a dodgy fruit
• Pre-marital sex is frowned on and forbidden in terms of religion but definitely frowned on in Indian culture
• Segregation in sexes in schools is very common
• System of dating between a boy and girl is foreign in hindu culture and rarely approved
• Kissing or affection in public is very disrespectful and frowned upon in India
• Having a child outside wedlock
• Homosexuality is frowned upon
• Dowry plays a big part in Indian and South Asian culture, gonna look into this further.
• Hindus regard the cow as a sacred animal and will not kill or eat them, look into this further.
• In india shaking your head actually means yes.
• In some castes in the back, it was forbidden to even travel across the sea!
• Castes, all have their own traditions and taboos in Asian culture
• Orgon donation is very rare, because Hindus believe in reincarnation and you may be reincarnated with vital organs missing. Of the 1.1 billion population only around 80 organ donors appear on record in one study
• Things like reality tv are really challenging the perceptions and taboos in indian culture, with dating and talk of sex etc much more prevalent and slightly more accepted in society with shows like the Indian Big Brother

India Donts (source)

• Do not offer to shake the hand of a person of the opposite sex unless they offer first.
• Do not walking over books and paper, even newspaper or even touching them with your feet, as Indian people treat books as a metaphor for the Goddess of learning.
• Do not use the same hand for eating and also for taking food from a common dish on the dining table. Indians believe other people’s saliva is unhygienic. Tasting and taking a sip from others’ glasses is regarded as violation of private space. If you need a spoon, you will need to ask for it or bring one along.   Typically, people eat with their (right) hand.
• Do not breaking temple rules while on a visit to a temple. Feet, particularly shoes/sandals, are considered unclean, always take them off when entering a temple (except in some Westernized, urban congregations). In some temples tourists are not even allowed to walk into the most holy areas with their shirts on!
• Do not touch anyone or receive/give anything with one’s left hand, as the left hand is only used for one’s “morning business.”
• Do not drink any alcohol or smoke in public. It’s offensive.
• Do not hunt, as killing wildlife can get you in serious trouble. Do not hurt a cow, as many Hindus consider the cows are holy, and are offended if they are hit by strangers.
• Do not discuss religion, especially with Muslims who form 11% of India’s population. Do not make comments of ridicule or disrespect toward the society or any religion.  People are very resentful of Western (ignorant) judgments.
• Do not do any public preaching or handing out of tracts, and that kind of activity is prohibited when you are in India on a tourist visa
• Do not visit areas in the extreme north or north-east, as foreigners, especially west Europeans and Americans are at risk to be hostaged by terrorists in those areas. The other areas of India is safe for everyone.
• Do not buy food from roadside stalls or mobile canteens. Do not drink local tap water, drink bottled water only. Do not eat fresh fruit and vegetables that you cannot peel.
• Do not take offers of spiritual salvation and magic remedies from saints, godmen and quacks. There is no way you can distinguish the genuine ones from the crooks.
• Do not try to explore Indian road yourself, nor to drive in India unless you have been trained on Indian roads.
• Do not ever purchase air, rail or bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents or tour operators. In any case avoid persistent touts and taxi-wallahs at airport/stations/bus stand to help you find your hotel. Always use tourist assistance desk for proper advice.
• Do not hire any type of transportation from unlicensed operators. In case of taxis and auto-rickshaws, try to hire them from the pre-paid booths if possible. Otherwise, insist on going by the meter or set a fare in advance to avoid being over charged.

India Do's

• Do dress modestly if you are female. No sleeveless blouses, no short skirts, no shorts, no low, loose collars. And  men do not wear shorts.

• Do prepare yourself at the earliest. Indian traffic and roads are hapless.

• Do greet people with big smile. Handshake with ladies especially in rural areas should be avoided.

• If possible do cover yourself with travel insurance for thefts, loss and medi-claim. Do exchange money only through authorize banks or money changers.

• Do immunized yourself against various diseases like typhoid, malaria, hepatitis and tetanus that are prevalent in India. Do take whatever medications you need in ample supply.

• Do bargain with half price when you buy things from roadside stalls or hawkers, but do not bargain in proper shops especially where display “fixed price” signs.

• Do make sure to remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship or mausoleum.

• As customary, do bring some small gifts as hostess gifts and as presentations to one’s students, it can be as small as a postcard from your home region.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo_food_and_drink
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2711054/
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_premarital.asp
http://www.frihost.com/forums/vt-24429.html
http://www.frihost.com/forums/vt-24429.html
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/696352
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/reality-tv-shatters-taboos-in-india-20100420-srpv.html