How Not to Be a Tourist in Kerala

Kerala is quite easy to travel around, even if it is your first time in India. But there are a few small things about the language, food and everyday culture that can make your visit much easier. Here are some things that are useful to know.

1. You Don’t Have to Say “Namaste”

You do not have to say “Namaste” to everyone you meet in Kerala. A simple “Hello” or “Hi” is perfectly fine.

Many people in Kerala understand English, so you can usually start a conversation in English. You may want to ask someone for directions, find a good restaurant or get help with something. People will usually try to help you, even if there is a language barrier.Kerala has been welcoming tourists for many years, so locals are generally used to meeting visitors from different countries.

2. Learn “Chetta” and “Chechi”

If you want to start learning a little Malayalam, two useful words are “Chetta” and “Chechi.”

“Chetta” means elder brother, and “Chechi” means elder sister. In Kerala, people often use these words to politely address someone they do not know.For example, if you want to speak to a male auto-rickshaw driver, you can call him “Chetta.” If you are speaking to a woman working in a shop, you can call her “Chechi.”You do not have to worry too much about getting it perfect. Using these words is a friendly way to speak to people.

3. Take Your Footwear Off Before Entering a Home

If someone invites you into their home, it is usually a good idea to remove your footwear before entering.

This is common in Kerala and is considered respectful. Footwear worn outside is generally not worn inside the house.Some families may tell you that it is fine to keep your shoes on, but removing them first is the safer and more polite choice.

4. Carry Small Notes for Public Buses

If you are planning to travel by public bus, carrying some small notes and change can make things easier.

On many buses, tickets are still paid for directly to the conductor. For short journeys, the fare is usually not very high, so notes of ₹10, ₹20 or ₹50 can be useful.If you give the conductor a large note, they may not always have enough change immediately. Sometimes they may ask you to collect the balance before you get off the bus.Carrying smaller notes can save you some trouble.

5. Tea Usually Means Tea With Milk and Sugar

Kerala loves tea, or “chaya” as it is called in Malayalam.

If you simply order “tea” or “chaya,” you will usually get tea made with milk and sugar. This may be different from countries where tea normally means hot water with a tea bag or tea leaves.If you want tea without milk, ask for “kattan chaya,” which means black tea.If you do not want sugar, simply say “without sugar.” In many local tea shops, even saying “without” is commonly understood to mean without sugar.

6. Be Prepared for a Lot of Rice

Rice is a major part of Kerala’s food culture. Many traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes are made with rice or rice flour.Dosa, appam, idiyappam and puttu are some common examples. They are usually eaten with curries, chutneys or other side dishes. So if you are carefully watching your carbohydrate or sugar intake, keep in mind that many traditional Kerala meals can be quite rice-heavy. At the same time, Kerala also has plenty of dishes made with fish, chicken, beef, mutton and pork. Seafood is especially popular in many parts of the state.

You will have plenty to explore — just arrive hungry.