What we consider normal might been seen as a taboo in another country, therefor always make a good research on the culture you are traveling to.
She was instantly distinguished as a tourist. It wasn’t because of her “white” skin or her strange green striped top that made her stand out; it was because she was eating with her left hand…
Before coming to Singapore for
exchange, my two best friends and I spent five days in Delhi, India. Apart from
Bollywood movies, I had never really experienced Indian culture. We were
confused in the narrow bazaars of Old Delhi and lost ourselves. It was like
wandering somewhere medieval. We visited the former home of Indira Gandhi and
learned about India’s most powerful dynasties and so on. We did not face any
problems until we went to Dilli-ki-Chaat. It is in Old Delhi where you can eat
amazing local street food.
Abruptly, we saw people staring at
us. My friend asked me quietly “is there something on my face?” I replied
sarcastic; “only your nose”. Suddenly the owner shouted “no, no, no, no, no”.
We looked weird at him and he started laughing. He knew that we didn’t read
well up on Indian culture and told us what people are looking at. My friend,
who is left-handed, was eating with her left hand. In India, eating with your
left hand is a taboo because you wash your self with your left-hand.
Mari turned red and tried to switch
over to her right-hand, but it was already done, it was already too late, and
now, she will forever be a tourist in Delhi. 
Your post brings out an intercultural conflict very lucidly. I really like the way you "story-tell" this post. In India, we do consider eating with the left hand as unhygienic for the reason you mentioned :) I like your enthusiasm in trying out Dilli-ki-chaat and eating with your hands, it shows that you really did try to blend in and that you managed to quite well. Certain things are culture specific and the only way to find these out is to experience the culture first-hand like you did. Theres nothing wrong with an occasional faux pas :)
SvarSlettSome grammatical changes:
1)Coming from a small and quiet country as Norway, we were really feeling like we made a good choice in our travel destination.
Coming from a small and quiet country like Norway, we felt as if we had chosen a good travel destination
2)Abruptly, we saw people staring at us
Suddenly, we saw people staring at us
3)We looked weird at him and he started laughing. He knew that we didn’t read well up on Indian culture and told us what people are looking at. My friend, who is left-handed, was eating with her left hand.
We looked at him incredulously and he started laughing. He knew that we hadn't read up on Indian culture and that people were looking at my friend.....
Hi Sumea
SvarSlettAs Rohit said, I also really enjoyed the "story-telling" aspect in your post. You have highlighted a very interesting aspect of intercultural conflict. You really have made full use of your trip to India. The idea of going to a new country is to understand a new culture, immerse in that culture and experience something new. The fact that you tried the local cuisine and also tried the Indian fashion shows that you are attempting to be culturally more aware :) Like I had mentioned in my peer teaching presentation, its highly important to be culturally aware. To augment your trip to India, you have also learnt a lot about Indian culture from classmates like Sai, Rohit and myself, I hope. :)
Thank you guys for the feedback. I wish I could have stayed longer in India, I just love the culture and everything about the way people are. Definitely going back for more than 5 days, it was to little to explore Delhi properly. But I learned from that, make better research. We actually did research about india and the culture, but we didn't cross the part that you can't eat with your lefthand.
SvarSlettI have for sure learned all it about Indian culture from you guys, and it makes me wanna travel to India ASAP! :)
This is a fine post, Sumea, one that shows not just your spirit of adventure but also your power of reflection. Like Rohit and Chandra, I appreciate your story-telling. Your description conjures up images of my own wandering from the Red Fort down Chandni Chawk to the Fatehpur Mosque (during Friday prayers) in Old Delhi, 20 years ago. It's a sign of good writing that the reader is able to build on the tale in their own mind.
SvarSlettIt's good too that your Indian classmates have taken the time to give you feedback.
Thanks for your effort!