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wants to visit a museum at fmd_goodCity Museum
want to meet at fmd_good Local House
wants to visit a temple at fmd_goodLocal House
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodLocal House
wants to visit a temple at fmd_goodLocal House
wants to do some sport at fmd_goodLocal House
wants to do some sport at fmd_goodLocal House
wants to visit a temple at fmd_goodLocal House
want to meet at fmd_good Riverside Park
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodRiverside Park
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodRiverside Park
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodRiverside Park
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodRiverside Park
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodRiverside Park
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Cultural Etiquette in Mumbai: What Not to Do (2026)
When meeting someone, a simple 'Namaste' with palms pressed together is always respectful, especially for elders. Handshakes are common in business settings, but avoid a… 🙏 Greetings and Gestures
When meeting someone, a simple 'Namaste' with palms pressed together is always respectful, especially for elders. Handshakes are common in business settings, but avoid a left-hand handshake or touching someone with your left hand, as it's considered unclean. Always use your right hand for giving or receiving money, cards, or gifts.
🛕 Temple and Religious Sites
Before entering any temple, mosque, or church, remove your shoes and cover your head if required. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; for women, carrying a scarf is handy. Photography is often prohibited inside sanctums, so look for signs or ask a priest. At the Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, expect long queues and a strict no-phone policy inside.
🍽️ Dining Etiquette
Always wash your hands before and after eating, as many traditional meals are eaten with the right hand. Use only your right hand for eating; the left is reserved for other tasks. When dining at a restaurant, a 10% service charge is often added, but leaving an extra 5-10% in cash is appreciated. If invited to someone's home, it's polite to bring sweets or fruit, and always wait for the host to start eating.
👗 Dress Code
Mumbai is relatively liberal, but modest dressing is appreciated, especially in religious areas and local markets. For women, avoid very short shorts or revealing tops; a kurta or jeans with a t-shirt works well. Men should avoid sleeveless vests in public. In upscale clubs or restaurants like the Taj Mahal Palace, smart casual or formal wear is expected.
📵 Public Behavior
Keep your voice low in public spaces; Indians often speak softly, and loud conversations can draw stares. Avoid public displays of affection, as they are considered inappropriate in many areas. When using your phone, use earphones for music or videos, and never play audio out loud on local trains or buses.
📸 Photography Rules
Always ask permission before photographing locals, especially in rural areas or street markets like Colaba Causeway. Many people may expect a small tip for posing, so be prepared. Avoid taking photos of government buildings, military installations, or slum areas without explicit consent, as it can be sensitive.
🚶 Queueing and Crowds
Queues are not always orderly in Mumbai; be assertive but polite when boarding trains or buses. In ticket counters, it's common for people to cluster, so hold your ground firmly. On local trains, let passengers alight before you board, and offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, or disabled passengers.
💵 Tipping and Money
Tipping is customary in restaurants, hotels, and for porters or drivers; 10% is standard in restaurants, while a few rupees for helpers is fine. Always carry small change for tips and for street vendors, as they often can't break large notes. When paying, use your right hand and avoid handing money directly to a person if they are seated on the ground; place it on a table or surface instead.
honestly the namaste thing is the easiest way to win people over, especially with older folks or shopkeepers. even a quick "namaste" with a slight head tilt gets you way better service than a "hello" ever will. one thing the guide missed: if you're a woman, don't be surprised if you get stared at, it's not aggressive, just how it is, especially in crowded markets or on the local. just ignore it and keep moving, eye contact back usually makes it worse.
also, for the Siddhivinayak queue, they have a fast track if you're willing to pay a bit more, but honestly the regular queue moves faster than the line outside looks, people just push a lot. and if you're going on a Tuesday, go super early, like before 6am, or you'll be there for two hours minimum. the prasad they give you is a small box of peda, eat it fresh, it goes stale weirdly fast in the humidity.
good point about the feet thing, that's real. one thing the guide doesn't mention is the auto rickshaw meter game. always insist on the meter, drivers will quote you double or triple if they think ur new. if they refuse, just walk away, the next one will take u. also, for eating on the street, the vada pav stalls are fine but check how they handle the chutney, if they're using the same spoon for everything, skip it. stick to places where they use a fresh piece of paper or a proper ladle. and for the local trains, the ladies compartment on the first class is way less chaotic if you're a woman, worth the slightly higher fare on long rides.
the left hand thing is real but honestly the bigger one is feet. don't point ur feet at anyone or at a deity, and if u accidentally touch someone with ur foot, u gotta tap ur fist to ur forehead as an apology. it sounds dramatic but mumbaikars will clock it immediately. also, on the bus or local, if someone's standing and u have a bag on the seat next to u, move it fast. they won't ask, they'll just stare until u get it. that silent stare is the real etiquette test here lol
I want to sell my old clothes
ngl the easiest way is to just hand them over to a scrapwala near your building, they'll sort through and take what they want, rest goes to recycling. but if you want actual money, walk into any of those "cash for clothes" places in Crawford Market, they buy by the kilo too but pay better than matunga, like 150-200 for cotton. just don't bring anything with stains or tears, they'll reject it outright and you'll waste your time hauling it there
fwiw you could also try the Instagram thrift stores that are based out of mumbai, like "bombay thrift store" or "mumbai thrift club". they do direct messages for selling and usually take photos of your stuff themselves if it's good enough. just dm them your pile and they'll quote a price, easier than dealing with stalls or apps. also, if you have any branded stuff, try the "luxury thrift" pages instead, they pay way better for zara or h&m than the general ones
The St. Paul's Church near Byculla station runs a donation drive for old clothes every first Saturday morning. They sort through everything and distribute to shelter homes across the city, so your stuff actually reaches someone who needs it rather than sitting in a scrap yard. Just drop off before 11am or the volunteers pack up for the day.