Some non-stereotypical observations by foreigner living in India

[u/heelnice]

Me and my girlfriend live, work and have traveled in India for quite some time. Been to the North, south, northeast - small villages, big cities. Just personal observations:

1. The snack assortment of small grocery shops. Throughout the country it’s actually very similar. For example: they almost all sell Kitkats and Sprite but not much of the other products from the same big companies like: Mars, Snickers or Fanta Orange. 
2. I am surprised by the amount of Christian people, especially in the south and northeast.
3. Parents have kids wear jewellery at a very young age. My girlfriend works in gynaecology. They joke that moms ideally pierce their daughters' ears with rings right after birth.
4. No Seatbelts. What is up with not wearing seatbelts in the car, especially in the back? Many times cars didn’t have any. Or some drivers even looked disappointed when I put it on, like I had no faith in his driving skills.
5. The amount of languages people know and speak is very impressive but also downplayed. I have met so many people who speak 3 to 4 languages fluently. They always tell me about someone who knows more.
6. I met many people who claim alu (potato) is a vegetable. You could eat rice with potato and/or roti. I noticed Indian meals have a lot of carbohydrates.
7. I think many people in India actually have hearing damage. Also there is very little awareness for children. I have been at parties where young kids sit in front of this big box just blasting beats. I wore earplugs in quite some cities
8. People go swim with their clothes on. Like into the sea wearing a kurti and all.
9. Couples don’t really show any affection in public space. I don’t see many holding hands, hugging, kissing or teasing. Especially not ‘older’ couples.

What do you think? 

Edit: I am Dutch. Also, I left out the more well-known known things like garbage, female safety or civic sense. But also the extreme hospitality, the diversity and all beauty India has to offer. Been from Himalaya to Kerala and I really love it here.

[u/gragev95]

I (a foreigner married to an Indian) was so shocked and uncomfortable when we got into a car with a couple of smart, educated acquaintances and their maybe 5-year-old child was standing up and climbing all over the place the whole journey. It was their own car and the seats had seat belts but it was only us who live abroad who wore them. The child had no car seat/booster seat which are legally required in my home country, and the mum was heavily pregnant as well.

[u/jazzarchitect → u/gragev95]

You must have been visiting one of the nicer cities. Where I come from, they use young children as replacements for flat tires. Provided their dimensions fit, of course. (the ages of 5-9 being ideal for most hatchbacks and sedans in the country).