Content creator shares ‘memorable’ experience at a roadside salon in India: ‘One man even had to double-check if I was actually a woman…’

Exploring the unique and sometimes unconventional aspects of different cultures can lead to some of the most memorable travel experiences. 

One particularly memorable experience was shared by Andrea Coutinho, a travel content creator, who visited India recently and documented some funny moments. 

Upon the insistence of her friend, Coutinho opted for a face and head massage at a roadside salon in Delhi. “I thought it was wild and hilarious. So I asked him where because I want to try it,” she told indianexpress.com.

 

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A post shared by Andrea | Travel | Adventure | Hiking 🍃 (@perspectives.with.andrea) 

What makes it even more interesting is she was fully aware that these salons were frequented by men and not women, but still chose to experience something unique that would make many feel uncomfortable. 

Read the edited excerpts:

What drew you to try out the roadside salon experience in Delhi?

Actually, my Turkish friend tried it first and told me about it. The roadside barber was situated very close to our hostel in Delhi, so I thought why not? I am a very adventurous and curious person. I like trying something new and challenging myself. This definitely caught my attention. At the time, I didn’t think so much about it and just went. 

What were your initial thoughts or expectations, and how did the actual experience compare? 

I had heard about street massages being common in India before I went. I’d seen them on social media and always wondered about the experience. Most of those depicted were men; I had never seen a woman partake. They looked kind of painful and rough, but still, I was curious.

I went there with no expectations. I just thought it’d be such a funny experience, and it was! Contrary to the comments on the video where people assumed I was being harassed and the men watching me get the massage had ill intentions, they were very nice and polite. They asked if they could take pictures, and I could see that they were generally just curious. The experience overall was wholesome, probably one of the highlights of my trip to India.

Could you share some specific moments or interactions that made it particularly memorable for you? 

I mean, not everyone would jump in and get a street massage in India, let alone a woman. It was random because when my friend told me about it, I immediately asked him to show me, and we just went spontaneously. It was memorable because everyone present at that moment was just laughing. We were all having a great time. The way he (barber) was pampering me was so interesting, something I had never experienced before. I could tell bhaiya was also having fun.

How did the locals react to your presence in the salon? Did you feel any cultural differences or barriers during your visit? 

They were shocked, surprised, and intrigued. One man even had to double-check if I was actually a woman, which made everything even more hilarious. There weren’t many cultural barriers that I felt at that time, aside from my inability to communicate with the locals in Hindi. I could only say basic phrases like ‘hello’, ‘thank you’, and ‘how much?’

I definitely noticed more cultural differences after I posted the video and read the comments. Some took it positively and found it funny, but others found it culturally offensive, as men and women usually go to separate salons for the same treatment.

To me, it felt similar to getting a massage in Thailand, so I didn’t think much of it. Growing up in Norway, where men and women have separate salons, we live in an egalitarian society where gender equality is valued. So, I didn’t pay much attention to gender differences.  

Shifting gears a bit, as a travel content creator, what advice would you give to someone looking to inject more adventure into their travel experiences?

First, embrace your inner child and let curiosity guide you. Suppressing it leads to unfulfillment. Second, embrace discomfort; it leads to growth and new normal. Third, be a traveler, not a tourist; embrace diversity and treat everyone with kindness. Lastly, confront fear; jump into the unknown to avoid staying stagnant.

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