A 24-year-old Portuguese solo traveller currently hitchhiking across India has shared how her experiences with Indian men gradually changed the fears she carried before arriving in the country.
Ana, who posts as @the_sustainable_backpacker on Instagram, said she was repeatedly warned about harassment, robbery and unwanted stares before landing in India. Those warnings made her so cautious that she completely avoided hitchhiking during her entire first month in the country.
“Before landing in India, everyone warned me about harassment, robbery, and stares. I was genuinely a bit afraid of going there and completely avoided hitchhiking for my entire first month in the country,” she wrote.
How Her Perspective Changed
As the months passed, Ana said the reality turned out to be very different from what she had been told. She met people who went out of their way to help her — from strangers spending hours fixing a phone problem to individuals who later became friends.
“As time went by, the reality turned out to be completely different,” she said, adding that she encountered “the kindest, funniest, and most helpful people.”
In a video accompanying her post, she shared several moments from her journey, including interactions with local men who danced with her, helped with small tasks and offered assistance during her travels.
So far, Ana has explored parts of Haryana, Punjab, Kashmir and Ladakh.
A Balanced Message
Ana was careful to clarify that her positive experiences should not be taken as advice to completely let one’s guard down.
“I’m not saying it’s 100% safe, that you can be careless, or minimising the experiences of other women,” she said. She urged travellers to take precautions, especially in big cities, while also encouraging people not to let fear stop them from experiencing India.
Public Reaction
Her post received mixed but largely supportive responses. One user thanked her for showing “the other side of the story.” Another woman noted that the warnings she had received were not baseless and advised continued caution.
When asked which country had made her feel least comfortable around men, Ana replied that Georgia stood out. She recalled that her first unpleasant hitchhiking experience happened there and that several rides had made her uncomfortable, though she still described Georgia as an “incredible country.”
Quick Facts: Foreign Traveller Experience with Indian Men 2026
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Ana, 24-year-old Portuguese solo traveller |
| @the_sustainable_backpacker | |
| Initial Fear | Warned about harassment, robbery and stares before arriving |
| First Month | Completely avoided hitchhiking due to safety concerns |
| Later Experience | Found many Indian men kind, helpful and friendly |
| Places Visited | Haryana, Punjab, Kashmir, Ladakh |
| Key Message | Positive experiences exist, but travellers should still stay cautious |
| Date | October 2026 |
Ana’s account adds another voice to the ongoing conversation about safety for foreign women travelling in India. While many women have reported negative experiences, her journey highlights that kindness and help from strangers are also part of the reality for some travellers.
What do you think of her perspective? Have you or someone you know had similar experiences while travelling in India? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 🧳🇮🇳
