Traveling to Mumbai, India

**Seraph** · 2012-10-31 13:21

Originally Posted by Nesssie

Bringing your own toilet paper (or wet wipes) is very important.

I personally didn't have a problem with this, but I was staying at a nice hotel that seems to cater to westerners. It was cheaper single ply stuff, but it was more than enough to get the job done. I made it a point to only take a leak when absolutely necessary in the nasty public bathrooms, so I have no experience about the stalls.

**Salodin** · 2012-10-31 13:38

And what about the toilet paper, whats wrong with that stuff?

**Tyrath** · 2012-10-31 13:42

Originally Posted by Salodin

And what about the toilet paper, whats wrong with that stuff?

They don't use them.

**Moss** · 2012-10-31 13:47

Originally Posted by Tyrath

They don't use them.

My grad program offers study abroad in China, Brazil, and India.

I think I know which one to skip.

**Acevalefor** · 2012-10-31 13:50

Originally Posted by Nesssie

Bringing your own toilet paper (or wet wipes) is very important. Maybe bring an extra pair of shoes in case you lose one.

I am not sure if this was intended, but after reading Seraph's post I pictured getting uncontrollable diarrhea and having it run down my legs into my shoes...hence the need for an extra pair of shoes....I don't know whether to laugh or cringe at that thought.

**Salodin** · 2012-10-31 14:51

Originally Posted by Tyrath

They don't use them.

O_O

I was expecting some story about how their paper is diseased and full of shit that'll rip your asshole apart...I wasn't expecting this much scarier of an answer.

**Thuronn** · 2012-10-31 15:04

Originally Posted by Salodin

O_O

I was expecting some story about how their paper is diseased and full of shit that'll rip your asshole apart...I wasn't expecting this much scarier of an answer.

That's the whole Middle East/Central Asian tradition of never shaking someone's left hand.

Because that's the hand they wipe with

**Tellahh** · 2012-10-31 15:05

They wipe only with their left hand too, it's considered disrespectful to eat with your left hand even if you're a foreigner as it "offends" them.

edit; dammit beaten lol

**Mugekuge** · 2012-10-31 15:23

Damm that's nasty not using toilet paper.

I was curious about water in India and found this old unesco report from 2002 but i guess is an indicative of why you should drink bottle water over there, also i am shocked about Belgium under India.

http://www.unesco.org/bpi/wwdr/WWDR_chart2_esp.pdf

**Salodin** · 2012-10-31 15:26

Guess I'm skipping south asia forever.

**Acevalefor** · 2012-10-31 15:31

Originally Posted by Tellahh

They wipe only with their left hand too, it's considered disrespectful to eat with your left hand even if you're a foreigner as it "offends" them.

edit; dammit beaten lol

How does this even work? I just can't grasp how incredibly unsanitary this is. There has to be more to it. Seraph or Stig care to enlighten me? I am scared to google it.

**Tellahh** · 2012-10-31 15:39

Originally Posted by Acevalefor

How does this even work? I just can't grasp how incredibly unsanitary this is. There has to be more to it. Seraph or Stig care to enlighten me? I am scared to google it.

I really don't know haha, I think it was just some tidbit I picked up on a cooking/food show, they had this feast and mostly everything is eaten with your hands aswell... and the host brought that fact up x.x .

**Ksandra** · 2012-10-31 15:42

Originally Posted by Acevalefor

How does this even work? I just can't grasp how incredibly unsanitary this is. There has to be more to it. Seraph or Stig care to enlighten me? I am scared to google it.

They use bidets to wash everything off, then wipe it with their hand. It's actually becoming less and less common though as more and more are using toilet paper. However, what's kinda funny about it, is they think we are disgusting for only using toilet paper. Those that use it, use it with the bidet as they insist tp doesn't do enough.

To be fair, my in-laws have a bidet, and I'd have to agree that one of those + tp is superior. (They're actually gonna pick us up a couple when they go back to the Philippines since the brand they get is a lot cheaper if they buy it straight from there).

**SDSD** · 2012-10-31 15:48

Depends where in Mumbai you're staying, and how much your company is taking care of. In certain parts of India, you might as well be living in a bubble of entirely Western things. I was just in India for a week in August, and many times before, and there are definitely things I co-sign.

Drink bottled water, or water you know has been boiled and allowed to cool.

Don't eat any street food.

Bring TP because the bidet is uncomfortable to use for a lot of people.

Make sure you pick up malaria medicine first thing when you get off the plane. They should have some in the international terminal when you land in Mumbai. A standard course is one tablet a week for 3-4 weeks. There's no sense taking chances.

On that note, bring some bug repellent because the insects will chomp on you.

If your company is springing for a car and driver, make sure they get one with AC.

**miokomioko** · 2012-10-31 15:56

Don't give any street urchins any money or buy any of their garbage; news of your foreign generosity will spread fast amongst these kids and you will get swarmed by them all looking for a handout. This pretty much goes for any "poor" country.

**wynbert** · 2012-10-31 16:11

Originally Posted by Ksandra

They use bidets to wash everything off, then wipe it with their hand. It's actually becoming less and less common though as more and more are using toilet paper. However, what's kinda funny about it, is they think we are disgusting for only using toilet paper. Those that use it, use it with the bidet as they insist tp doesn't do enough.

To be fair, my in-laws have a bidet, and I'd have to agree that one of those + tp is superior. (They're actually gonna pick us up a couple when they go back to the Philippines since the brand they get is a lot cheaper if they buy it straight from there).

Your in laws are doing it right. Grew up in the Philippines myself and having a bidet + TP is like a necessity. We had to buy ours from amazon since non of the local hardware stores carry bidets lol.

**Nesssie** · 2012-10-31 16:14

The reason for the extra pair of shoes is because they ask you to remove them in some places. Sometimes people steal them. lol Most of the time they won't let you hold on to your shoes while you're inside temples and such.

**Moss** · 2012-10-31 16:16

Alternatively, attach a GPS tracker to your shoes and bring sweet vengeance to the bastard that steals them. Turn your visit into an adventure!

**BaneTheBrawler** · 2012-10-31 16:37

I have a very particular set of skills, etc

**Pikarya** · 2012-10-31 16:47

Probably one of the filthiest, most disgusting countries I've ever went to in my life.

Get the Ebola vaccine stat.

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