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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Indecency guide for tourists to India

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Indecency guide for tourists to India: "Do not hug or kiss in public - even when meeting at stations and airports - and do not smoke or consume alcohol publicly either.

These are some of the guidelines being given to tourists visiting a popular part of India's north-western Rajasthan state to ensure they can respect local culture.

The guidelines come after a number of unfortunate cultural faux pas, including an Israeli couple kissing at their Hindu wedding ceremony and a Finnish woman walking naked down the streets of Pushkar.

Officials say the list of these dos and don'ts has been prepared by the local administration in Ajmer district to 'educate foreign tourists about local culture and sensibilities'.

Prithvi Raj Sankhla, Ajmer city's sub-divisional magistrate, told the BBC: 'We have asked hotels and restaurants across the city to hand out the 20-page booklet to tourists as soon as they check in.'

The guidelines say:

* Men should never touch women in public, even to help a woman out of a car, unless the lady is very elderly or infirm

* In Indian culture... men socialise with men, and women with women

* Married couples in Asia do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public. Even embracing at airports and train stations is considered out of the question

* Generally it is improper for women to speak with strangers on the street and especially to strike up a casual conversation

* Drinking alcohol or smoking in public, no matter how innocent, are interpreted as a sign of moral laxity and are not acceptable."

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