mrwunrfl

>>How long before you think it can get back to that?<<

Get back to what? A person's perception of safety or the reality? I don't think there is any "going back".

Before that event in Delhi occurred visitors didn't have an understanding that something like that could occur. The danger was not perceived though in reality it did exist.

Now, after that event, you are aware of the danger and can avoid it. That awareness keeps you safer now than before.

MmePerdu

Not sure I understand the difference between a stare and a leer but youth or looking young aside, it's normal for India, kind of a national pastime. Feel threatened if you like but it's not what's being talked about. Physical abuse and worse is the issue. Foolish behavior can get a person into trouble anywhere so, failing foolishness, we are safe visiting India. Alone or otherwise.

dgunbug

While my husband and I were in India last year we were comfortable walking around the streets during the days, however, we recognized the fact that after dark there was a noticeable lack of women, so much so that after dinner we rarely spent time wandering the streets alone as we were a bit uncomfortable. As a tourist I believe that one is safe, however, I would be especially careful about wandering about after dark and would avoid public transportation unless accompanied by a group of people. Quite frankly we were usually exhausted from the heat by dinner time so by nightfall we had little desire to wander about. We would not hesitate to wander about though, when there were large crowds of people, including other woman. I would be more cautious now after hearing about India's recent crimes against women, but I would not hesitate to return there.

Jaya

Middle and upper class Indians don't generally walk out at night unless they're close to home. Even road travel after dark is avoided. It's been that way for a long time. It's partly due to the poor road and sidewalk conditions making it more hazardous to navigate in the dark. It's also due to fear of being robbed - women particularly for their jewelry.

progol

<<Not sure I understand the difference between a stare and a leer>>

I would say that a stare has curiosity at the heart of it, while a leer is hostile. I can feel the difference between the two. The latter makes me immediately uncomfortable.

crellston

Thursdaysd, you are probably right that a drop off in western tourism would not have any great effect but the fear of such a drop off reinforced by more forceful Foreign Office and State Department warnings could maintain pressure on the authorities. With out such pressure , I fear that media interest will wane, as it always does, and once again, these issues will be swept under the carpet by the authorities. I dearly hope I am wrong and public opinion in India forces a radical change in attitudes

thursdaysd

crellston - I'm just not sure how big a business western tourism is. Of course, I don't stay in high end hotels, but I certainly saw many, many more Indians traveling than foreigners, especially in the south.