7 INDIAN Hygiene Habits THE WEST Should Learn! - Foreign Girl In India

[@JohannaNorth]

To clear out any confusion out there of my choice of wording with point number 8 about namaste in this vlog: As the last extra point that just came to my mind while filming, I just wanted to make a quick mention of namaste along with specifically hygiene-originated habits in India and did not go into explaining its spiritual genesis in detail, as I thought it's as well known by others as myself, since Indian people would know it and also Western people most likely do to the yoga trend in the West. In hindsight, I should've mentioned it or used different words to explain my thought process about this spiritual practise of namaste also conveniently serving the meticulous personal hygiene of the great Indian people alongside the cultural preferences of not really touching other people (men-women, upper-lower caste) as we very often do in the west. Just wanted to make this point that Indian people don't have the habit of touching others anyways, and namaste is a great greeting for those who desire to be more hygienic - as so many people have started doing it in the west now too. :)

[@leenamendes1452]

Thanks for the clarification Johanna. Really appreciate it. I hope you understand this wasn't a personal attack on you in any way, but a small attempt to stand up for our tradition. 🙏 Apologies for any hurt my words may have caused.

[@sp2925]

You may want to include Kissing people in public. In India they don't kiss anyone even at home when someone is there. Kissing is mostly done in a private place and this reduces your chances of contracting any disease easily.

[@ritasamson8017]

I liked your presentation. Cleaning the house is from times bygone even when there was no pollution or wind carrying the dust. First thing done in a home was having a shower, cleaning the house and then cook their meals fresh and nothing kept in the fridge too, as there was no fridge in those early days, which means fresh cooked homely meals each part of the day.

[@patelsupriya2207]

Which state of india u are livinv present

[@IM-sk4wj]

Not washing after using the toilet and wearing shoes in the house are 2 western habits I can never understand.

[@leftistnomore7413]

In my house if you tasted a sauce or curry while you were preparing it there would be hell to pay. Putting saliva on anything that is to be shared with others is considered very bad etiquette in Indian homes.

[@nitashachauhan6098]

Also the seperate bathroom slippers , seperate in house slippers and seperate ones for outside

[@campers4440]

Also separate brooms, inside broom, yard broom, bathroom broom, kitchen broom LOL

[@user-qy8zi8hq4v]

True

[@user-qy8zi8hq4v]

@@campers4440 🤭 my mom does the same

[@rituchauhan3721]

Haha true..

[@alpsjelo]

@@campers4440 mmm yeah i actually have different brooms and mops for my home, toilet and balcony.

[@kaypee9187]

In some communities in India, after a bath. you also wear different pair of clothes indoors and don't step out. You wear outdoor clothes for going out. You also keep different footwear for indoors and outdoors. Both pairs are kept at the front door or on a shoe rack close to the exit. Your video was very informative and entertaining also.

[@katerinawie]

The entire Eastern Europe does that

[@Leo-ki2iy]

Also Indians have one of the lowest alcohol consumption in the world 😊

[@anshchoudhary9662]

@@Leo-ki2iy no it's one of the muslim countries

[@Injeet]

While living here in Chile since long time , many of my friends from here are copying Indian style bum wash and have started to use water instead of toilet paper and they admit they dont feel dirty anymore after go to toilet.

[@JohannaNorth]

Oh that's very encouraging! I'll need to keep practicing more to change my western mindset where I feel like toilet paper makes me clean 😂🤦‍♀️

[@bsjdgbe9960]

@@JohannaNorth Why indian people doesn't use toilet paper it's back side biggest reason that's why doesn't use toilet paper But I can't tell you reason

[@ronak1937]

@@bsjdgbe9960 Bro PLEASE use your words I couldn't understand a thing

[@ravik007ggn]

@@JohannaNorth Hands up my bum was a major 🙈🙈. Bidets rule

[@tpsingh3370.]

People mostly now a days use health faucet ( water jet), not hand.

[@ARShanker]

Once Russian friend said "India Is Not Dirty, The Dirt is Actually in your Head"

[@Anonymous-xo2tv]

Swasti ji 😂

[@SshivamKhopkar]

@Kalyan Ghosh true! Can't agree anymore with you more!

[@ishwarrajdew3952]

Namaste u r correct brother

[@sebinsebastian9404]

Don't mind, coz they are always "HIGH"

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

@@ishwarrajdew3952 sister(she using husbands FB)

[@graceperl]

Drinking water with the utensil being lifted away from mouth is easy. The trick here is a steady hand and a steady flow of water. U can just pour as little water as your mouth can comfortably hold and then stop the water and swallow water and repeat again. Practice with small glass of water from minimum height and you will get it slowly dear.

[@lord9562]

The REAL trick is to hold the container (bottle, glass, whatever) as close to the neck as possible and not down the middle of it. This way, one is able to drink as though they are doing it in the West, but at the same time keeping it away from touching the lips. As you get more confident, the grip can go down the container if necessary.

[@minipanchal8463]

Pro tip : use metal utensils for this glass utensils doesn't work as easy (science)

[@una_my_nap]

For Indian born in the 80's these were the the following enforced life lessons... (Reply your own stories my dear Indian Torturebearers😁) 1. Summer, Monsoon or Winter you HAVE to take bath. If hot water is not available, Cold is PeRfEcT😭. 2. No breakfast available without brushing your teeth. 3. No Outdoor shoes comes indoors AT ALL. Else the 'poocha' is your friend for the next hour. 4. There were separate slippers for every special rooms, esp for toilets. After relieving yourself, wash your hand & feet, dry yourself indoors, then come out as you went in. 5. Don't eat with your LEFT HAND (Annapurna Goddess will be angry). 6. Don't write with your LEFT HAND (Saraswati Goddess will be angry). Father and Mother be like -- 1. Mothers were like emotional and kind hearted Military Drill instructors cum jailors. 2. We were Guinea pigs for mom's new recipie and nutrition experiments (To see how much Calorie overdoses my son can tolerate). 3. Father was like Tsunami, you have to escape to your Drill Instructor before he catches you. 4. Run back home from play (to pretend studying) as soon as you hear Tsunami returning from office. 5. Any complaints from neighbours or school of mischief.. The kind hearted Drill Instructor will not be able to protect you NOW!. Some extras when we went to our native place - A. Don't sit or keep sitting if an elder approaches, until asked for or permitted. B. Always touch the feet of elders (Hey! My family was quite unorthodox here, I was told to touch feet of Every senior visitor, Casteism down the drain here). C. Only Evil awakes after the the Sun (I am way more evil nowadays). D. Kitchen is out of bounds, if not bathe & no eating in Kitchen at all (and that! drinking waterfall directly from bottle/Jug is a new invention. Way back then, it was a Sin). E. Food is a poison before bhog/prasad. (Gods will be served food first, then seniority wise) F. No dinner after 7 pm. G. Asleep by 9 PM at all Cost, tantrums may result in pain. [P.S. I do not mean in anyway to hurt or mock anyone who have faced and lost to an actual Tsunami. The word is metaphorically use to represent, the unpredictable or predictable horrors that we (I) went through, when Dad was REALLY Angry]

[@sawanpancholi7366]

Bhai pura Gyan hi pel dia vo bhi superstition ke saath

[@una_my_nap]

@@sawanpancholi7366 Bhai! Customs & Traditions, aur Superstition me fark pata kar lo pehle.

[@leftistnomore7413]

I'll often see American movies where people get into a bed or on indoor furniture with their outdoor shoes on. That is just gross because you are tracking all kinds of bacteria from the streets onto surfaces that touch parts of your hands, face, and body.

[@arcpd123]

this is so true...and now we realise what important role it played in making us successful and i appreciate all this now..even though back then used to feel irritated at times...

[@chethu69]

Many people from the West are embracing Indian practices and many from India are going after Western practices. Not to be mistaken! Nothing wrong with taking best practices from any culture, but it's also important to not forget our roots :)

[@JohannaNorth]

I so agree! It's also sad how there's only now interest in yoga for example after it became so trendy in the west! So many good things to love about India, no need to try to be totally like any other country 🇮🇳❤️

[@heyambivert]

I liked that " I am indian now"

[@VK-xw4yz]

One important habit that you missed, we never take a bed tea ! We always brush our teeth in the morning before eating anything, an important take away for westerners !

[@JohannaNorth]

Oh but I know so many people who do have a tea in the evening :o Anyways, I didn't mention these points, because they're not very important in the context of coronavirus :) But yes, I do also brush my teeth first thing every morning. The Indian husband only does it after breakfast though

[@VK-xw4yz]

@@JohannaNorth that Indian husband may be an exception ! I never saw anyone having a breakfast before brushing teeth

[@hunterbazz7807]

@@JohannaNorth yaa bed tea is populer here

[@vaibhav3946]

@Que what??? My mom will kick me out even if i enter the kitchen before taking a bath. Atleast in Maharashtra our temple is inside the kitchen so it has both hygiene and religious region.

[@faithlesshound5621]

I was brought up to brush my teeth first thing, but nowadays dentists say it's better to brush AFTER breakfast, and again BEFORE bed.

[@yogeshahir957]

You missed on ghar ka kapda and bhar ka kapda which means . The clothes that we wear and go outside we change it when we come back home .

[@annephilip8922]

Your open mindedness, keen sense of observation and the willingness to adapt without prejudice is truly praiseworthy. Kerala happens to be my home state too. Glad that you are in God's own country. Wishing you a very happy stay in India. Loads of love.

[@JohannaNorth]

Thanks a ton :) Kerala is the best!

[@pns5013]

The Western way of cleaning after pooping is the most disgusting!!! Ewww!!! 🤮

[@joysao1348]

そです

[@justsarx]

Hajimemashite

[@muditydv]

See this might work very well during extream winters, but not always!

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

in Thailand, Japan, and many other southeasts and east Asians do use water. even nowadays the toilet came with autobutt wash and drying invented by a Japanese company called TOTO. TOTO existed in Japan for more than 20 years. Here in Canada, you can buy for 400$ or fewer dollars for toilet adaptor, which you can attach over the existed toilet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYnRnmSprrWhrac

[@rai3086]

mudit Rocks I can’t imagine if I would be satisfied using paper without washing even in any cold winter . I would feel I am not clean throughout the day .

[@GTR-93]

FTD TACTS: TOILET WAS INVENTED IN INDIA IN THE "SINDHU CIVILIZATION" WHICH IS THE OLDEST CIVILIZATION TILL DATE

[@SshivamKhopkar]

You mean FACTS*?

[@sebinsebastian9404]

@@Phoenix-vc1gs yea, you were there for supplying raw materials there

[@sebinsebastian9404]

@@Phoenix-vc1gs Credit for inventing the forerunner of the device we're familiar with today generally goes to the Elizabethan courtier Sir John Harington in 1596. Known as a water closet, it was installed in Richmond Palace.

[@suethompson6497]

G RANE Mohenjadaro and other ancient Indian archeological sites in the Saraswati basin show vast cities with indoor plumbing, city sanitation organisation, kitchens, bathrooms, civil engineering and town planning. A statue doing yoga, sitting in lotus position with OM inscribed on it.

[@nishajohn7647]

Mohenjodaro was the first civilization..

[@kumarh9882]

Slight correction : Namaste has nothing to do with caste system , people do Namaste within same castes and in front of gods as well. Namaste just means bowing down to the devine within the person in front.

[@SEM-wt5ct]

Truly and Intelligently elucidated most of the certainty of Indian culture👌🏻. The way you portrayed & observed every detail show’s that Finnish people are really one of the smartest ethnicity in the world. Nice content.

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you so much for the great compliment! ☺️🙏 Our education system is so good and equal in Finland for all the people there that it really helps in getting a good understanding of the world (for most). But I do believe there's also so much unreleased potential and intelligence in the people of india that is just waiting to be recognised via good education for all 🙏🇮🇳❤️

[@kshetragaur9191]

@@JohannaNorth That's very nice.

[@arharshalpatwardhan1452]

One more thing I will like to mention is In India it is a normal practice to wear fresh clean clothes after bath every day. We dont wear same dress twice before washing it

[@satyanarayanamysore1962]

Really

[@minipanchal8463]

True !!most people follow it

[@rtzbis6136]

I still use Handkerchief, I always used since child hood. She is correct. It's such a handy item. The tissues sucks up more moisture from your face leaving your face dry and itchy. A soft cotton handkerchief is a wonder.

[@ramanasei421]

After getting up in the morning, I go to the toilet, brush my teeth, take a bath, do my daily "Pooja" and only then do I eat anything....!

[@JohannaNorth]

Sounds like a good routine :)

[@anwaydas817]

@@JohannaNorth you must be proud of being finnish . Have u ever heard of simo haya?

[@JohannaNorth]

@@anwaydas817 Yes, I think pretty much every Finn has heard of him :)

[@malv4935]

Me too! This is the Vedic way of doing it :)

[@minipanchal8463]

Me too

[@mycreativity2010]

Very well explained. Thank you for sharing this video. There is scientific reason behind every Indian practice. It's either for cleanliness, health, respect or spiritual reasons. 1. Namaste - Respect (bowing to the God in the other person / or the knowledge of the othere person) & cleanliness (not spreading germs) , Spirituality (protecting our Aura and not attracting the negativity from others by staying at a distance). 2. Indian squat toilet - Many health reasons & cleanliness. 3. Leaving the shoes outside the home - Cleanliness, Health and spiritual (Not bringing any negativity inside the home) 4.Bathing everyday in the morning - To start the day fresh with a clean bath, have mental clarity and ready to receive positive energy when doing morning prayers after clean shower and wearing clean washed clothes. 5. Washing clothes daily and not reusing unwashed clothes - Maintain Cleanliness and also staying healthy by changing clothes once we come home from outside. 6. Washing feet , hands and face after coming home from outside is another practice to maintain cleanliness and good health. 7. Saying a prayer and gratitude before eating food & drinking water. 8. Not wasting water (Respect for Natural resources). 9. Washing clothes daily and drying it outside in the backyard or terrace in the sunlight. Sunlight kills all germs and keeps the clothes very clean. 10. Drinking warm water helps in good digestion and also not catch cold easily. 11. Indians don't taste why the food is cooking. It is considered unhygenic and disrespectful. We cook with full concentration and first offer it to the divine. If salt or sweet is less we will add to our plates. Positivity when we cook is believed to get transferred to the food and eventually to those who eat. 12. Don't share plates , cups and spoons. Each person use their own. If guests come, they are served in new utensils or on Banana leaves which is considered very clean and healthy.

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you so much for these really interesting specifications! 😊🙏 I found especially 11. fascinating! Now I get why my hubby always criticises me, if I cook in a bad mood 😂🙄

[@neelawadke7020]

माझी आजी म्हणायची,बाहेरुन खेळून आलो कि नेहमी heels व्यवस्थित scrub करायचे हातपाय -तोंड धुतांना ,नाहीतर कली घरात शिरेल !

[@RameshYadav-td4se]

Loved it when you said " in India, we"

[@anirbanghosh7987]

What!! a foreigner girl cooking fish like that. impressive. I am a bengali so coming from me is GOLD STANDARD

[@JohannaNorth]

😊🙏

[@umakanttiwary6776]

We also remove shoes outside home entrance..don't go in kitchen without washing hand n foot.

[@benjaminjenks5267]

Very true! Also Indians often wear really nice clothes. There's a funny quote from the movie The Namesake, about an Indian family living in the USA. The main character says even the rickshaw drivers dress better than the college professors 🤣

[@sumansardar1444]

You don't need nice clothes or multiple clothes. All u need is simple clean clothes. Most Indians don't have a collection of clothes, they use few clothes but wash them regularly.

[@remabarve]

Indians wash their clothes everyday.

[@lastbreathe584]

Benjamin sadly the actor irfan khan who acted on The Namesake died recently 😔

[@Enigma99999]

Good observation. I think older Indians tend to wear dress pants and shirts for even mundane grocery shopping trips. Nice to see youngsters more casual and situation and weather appropriate.

[@sucheta1811]

@ 1:30 #1. Washing your hands. @ 3:15 #2. The Indian style toilets @ 5:30 #3. Hankies what r they u might ask .. that is short for handkerchief @ 7:30 #4. Showering everyday and often @ 9:00 #5. Leave shoes outdoors besides the door @10:00 #6. Cleaning the house daily @12:30 #7. Drinking water by pouring it into the mouth @14:00 #8. NAMASTE of course ! Social distancing ? .. we don't really have much choice about that .. lol... I can write my own commentary about each of these points from my life experiences .. ant then some ... but for now I am so happy to know you :D

[@JohannaNorth]

Ofc I don't think social distancing is possible to the same extent as in Finland for example, but I do believe with good effort some improvement can be made! It'd just require also government investments and better infrastructure 😊

[@tcsad2879]

In our state people never enter kitchen before bath.

[@JohannaNorth]

Wow that's very extreme! But obviously not a bad thing 😁 I'm happy as long as people in the kitchen aren't smelly and dirty and WASH THEIR HANDS! 😇

[@lalitparashar5077]

It's not right narrative I think

[@tejasvi18joshi]

@@lalitparashar5077 that is nothing , there used to be strict lifestyle and cleanliness that's why India never had any plaugue while world over plaugue wiping out population after population. Having toilet inside house itself is very wrong as per traditional ancient India lifestyle practices.

[@shraddharajput1120]

I think it's about all the states, I lived in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, people from both the states don't enter in kitchen before bath.

[@rahulajayan5546]

So if water supply stops....ppl die off hunger......just kidding

[@yuurishibuya4797]

Trick for drinking the water. Get a steel tumbler/ glass. It should have an edge so that you can pour the water easily. Practice drinking with that first, then go to bigger ones. Porcelain glasses and regulate glass tumblers don’t have edge, so you can’t pour the water, it will spill all over.

[@rupakkumarchattopadhyay2572]

India is full of science...you have to just find it...ancient priest like Aryabhatta,Susruta,Chanyaka are some of the greatest.

[@SohamAmbekar21]

Dont forget patanjali

[@ஓம்வாழ்கவையகம்]

@@SohamAmbekar21 baba ram dev Patanjali😂😂 r the real one in history?

[@Leo-ki2iy]

@@ஓம்வாழ்கவையகம் Rishi Patanjali is an ancient sage who gave contributions to Yoga and Ayurveda. And Ramdev Baba is a modern sage who is spreading awareness about Yoga.

[@ceasefire066]

kids-use tissue paper wise men-use handkerchief Legends-use gamcha.. true story..

[@muditydv]

Ultra legends use :dhoti , they are wearing

[@ruchipatrol]

Yes, that's true. In France, for the time in my life, I got to know about paper tissues. I was still carrying handkerchief with me because throwing away your tissue with germs in a dustbin, especially open dustbin did not appall me, and it is a waste too.

[@VIDEOEPPO]

So nice of you to say nice things about India. I am an Indian and while I cannot vouch for all Indians, cause India is multi- cultural, multi-religious, multi-linguistic,...everything is multi here...including our population... so here is my experience. In my childhood it was always the ghost stories our parents would tell to discipline us. 1.Never climb on a moringa tree,tamarind tree or a jamun tree...Ghost will push you from the height. - The reason, although Moringa is a tree, it cannot support the weight of even a kid. Jamun and Tamarind tree will suck the oxygen and we could faint while on top of the tree. 2. Always take a shower before you go out else bad luck will follow!... There are auspicious days in a week...like Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays for Hindus...and Sundays for Christians. These days you HAVE to do a head bath. Once in a month Oil bath with Sesame Oil is compulsory 3. When coming back from funeral, never enter the house- Ghost from graveyard will follow you.That's how they scared us. The reason- Washing of all germs before you enter. Some even shower in the backyard and leave the clothes outside. 4. Never carry Meat- cook or uncooked ,after sun sets. Back in the days, there were a lot of wild cats and dogs which would attack if they smell meat 5. Don't cut finger nails after dark. Its bad luck. The reason- most of the household in 80's had tungsten bulbs. Some didn't even have that. So they said this so that we don't hurt ourselves. And no, we didn't have nail clippers then. we would have to cut nails using knives or shaving razors. 6. In my village we would make a mixture of the cow dung and water (Indian cows...not buffaloes or the hybrid ones).This would be sprayed on the front yard. It worked as a disinfectant. Plus it was mandatory to have a Kolam...Rangoli everyday. Things have changed and there are more on concrete floor now and rangoli is a sticker stuck permanently 7.Christians and Muslims would burn incense twice a week and Hindus would use camphor.... 8. Drinking water in a public place is always by lifting up the glass and not touching it on lips. If you are not used to it, then we make a cup with our right palm, and use the left hand to hold the vessel and pour water into it...

[@JohannaNorth]

That was so interesting!! Thanks for sharing ☺️🙏

[@VIDEOEPPO]

@@JohannaNorth My pleasure..Most welcome!

[@abhijeet.kukreti]

Namaste= God in me bows to God in you

[@JohannaNorth]

Yes I know :)

[@vsg1233]

Washing hands is like breathing for us, we don't miss.

[@P.R.I.T.Y]

Hey Johanna! Namaste isn't because of divides of men and women and also not because of caste or anything else. It is just way of greeting, the science behind Namaste is left palm represent me and right palm represents the person I am greeting, and when we join our palms together then it represents the unity and of two people and also every living creature is considered as part of divine so while doing namaste you might have noticed that people bow down their head a little means I bow down to the divinity within you. Btw I loved your video. Love from India😘

[@rashmishukla6768]

Well explained dear about indian hygiene habits 👏👏😊

[@kash1974]

I saw your video you attempting to drink water Indian style. There are few things you are not doing correctly. 1) your head is not tilted up higher. It should be about 60 degrees tilted. 2) In the beginning don't you big glass of water. Use a paper cup filled with water. Difficult balancing bottle full of water. Paper cup is easier. 3) Don't use glass bottle. That's very hard. The one you were trying didn't have a pouring edge. Edge should be thin like stainless steel glass. Sprite bottle works because the edge is pourable. 4) You are not used to swollowing head tilted up. Practice swollowing while head is tilted up without water. Practice about dozen times. You are afraid the water will go in the wrong pipe. It won't. 5) You are pouring water on the front part of your tongue. It should be just little bit towards back half or middle of the tongue. Hope it helps. Happy drinking. Namaste!! Please practice and make a video of your success. I want to see it. :)

[@JohannaNorth]

Whoooo! That's very detailed 🤯 didn't realise there could be this extensive science behind it 😁 maybe I'll have to give it one more go!

[@kash1974]

@@JohannaNorth I forgot to tell you one more thing. In the beginning as you are holding the cup in your hand, rest your thumb on your chin and pour in your mouth. You see, hand has to be steady. That's why bottle or glass with lots of water won't work. It has to be easy to pour. I m looking forward to seeing your video. :)

[@tejasvi18joshi]

That drinking water style is wrong . This style came into existence with the introduction of bottles. Correct traditional and ayurvedic way is sipping through glass or sipping from hand by pouring water on hand. This upward way neck for drinking water is injurious to health . It can cause breathing disorder.

[@renchcaptcbowl8547]

@@JohannaNorth i also recommend you to practice while having bath i mean practice when you are in the bathroom completely naked

[@krupaltrivedi3701]

Mam You explain so well India & so Deeply....you are so smart to understand it very well.....I hope you & husband are alright & safe here in India......just Stay Safe...Be Qurrentine...just Enjoy Indian Foods.......love from Gujarat,India...Jay Hind🇮🇳

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you so much 🙂Take care and stay safe!

[@SagaramM]

Awesome .....Importance of our Indian culture..Cheers!

[@siddharthksehgal5291]

We need more people like her .... best of luck for your family and thank.you for glorifying INDIA 🇮🇳🙏

[@WilliamJones-Halibut-vq1fs]

A western accomplishment and triumph was providing public hygiene, such as wash basins in any place doing food preparation or consumption, providing reasonably clean toilets to the public and most of all providing private toilets for families and good toilets for all workers. India is now solving its public hygiene issues. Westerners cared for those outside the home. That doesn’t mean we can’t stop learning of others. In fact we’ve become a little sloppy. The “bum gun” method is clearly superior to toilet paper and after working in the Middle East I’ve adopted it. It costs only about $20 to install with a T piece attachment to the toilet cistern water supply. I actually use an electronic bidet which is by far the best way as due to the air dryer and feminine spray you dont even need toilet paper for drying or to reach around in any way.. Toilet paper clogs the toilets there. . So much is done for us. In a western city in the morning a giant street sweeper vacuum cleaner truck goes around the streets. If you go around a poor 3rd world that’s often not done and you get nasty dust storms and sand storms in the city that stings your eyes with dirt.

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you so much for this insightful comment! Yes I agree, in the West there is much more understanding for the public welfare especially in the terms of cleanliness and hygiene, whereas in India the perspective is much more focused on the individual and their own immediate surroundings. I think it's based on the deep-rooted spiritualism, indian people are very fixated on their own purity, the cleanliness of their own home, car etc. as those are THEIR temples. And in that the aspect of the public doesn't get noticed. People will just throw trash out of the window and be proud how the home is now so clean. Out of sight, out of mind. 🤷‍♀️ Hopefully we all can learn whatever is needed from each other 😊

[@muditydv]

And this is all because of our Hindu dharma (way of living)

[@SshivamKhopkar]

Squatting relaxes the muscles in and around your intestine and stomach making it easier for the bowel movement. Squatting is also an exercise.

[@welfareearth170]

Very well put...appreciate it very much....nature/god bless you for showing Indians on good light!!!

[@greaterbharat4175]

Western toilet is also first invented in india , but later in India's golden age ( increase of science) people changed way of sitting in toilet btw oldest toilet that now " western " is 5000 year old used by indus valley people

[@JohannaNorth]

That's so interesting! 😊

[@minipanchal8463]

Sitting in Indian style toiles is scientific to poop easier

[@RunhdeepS.Sandhu]

@@minipanchal8463 true..because ones sphincter is fully open when squatting...

[@rhondadandridge4160]

This was a refreshing prespective, thank you!

[@shubhamchoudhary5467]

About the 7th point.There's no english word for "JHOOTHA" paani

[@nippon49]

I made the SAME observation a few days ago!

[@JohannaNorth]

Yes I think there are many Indian concepts that don't have English words for them :)

[@gopaljigupta5158]

@@JohannaNorth And that's the logic behind why we don't put our lips on bottle while drinking water. So we don't spread germs and bacteria to others. It's basically the same logic at play as why people have separate spoons to eat. And one last thing, we learn this Indian way of drinking water since childhood. Normally if a child is going somewhere with his/her parents, they'll carry only one bottle of water with them and if they get thirsty, this way they can all drink safely with the same bottle, with the mother of the child pouring water into the mouth of her child from a safe height. So KEEP AT IT you'll learn it one day. And it's a very important hygienic habit to have, especially for those traveling often. Imagine having to borrow water from someone else.😰

[@shankyrocking92]

Oh yes there is It’s ORT.

[@a2motivationarvindsir214]

It's called used water 💧🚰

[@gurgurgur]

I believe real Indians is if they do prayer in the morning and then they go outside and spread some positive energy in universe

[@ashishkrupakar5365]

Wowwwwww. I didn't know that it was just us Indians who had this special water drinking skill! We obviously took it for granted.

[@ap9218]

Great content. I really appreciate how open minded are you to a completely different culture. I would love to see the best habits from Finlad.

[@JohannaNorth]

Oh that's a good suggestion! I'll try to make a vlog about this 😊

[@c1an2cer3]

Wow what a brilliant video . Well done .

[@viduramdeworrastogi6857]

I would disagree with blowing the nose issue. People do it all the time...public places..public transport..markets...shops...everywhere! Some would even open the car door and blow their nose..spit their paan masala and get going!..don't get me wrong ...I love India..but we should keep our minds n eyes open!..good channel!

[@hdkdjd2949]

I agree with you. Some people (5-10%) do this, but not all. I am an Indian, I do know this.

[@vaibhavsrivastava1116]

Indian way of hygiene was actually ridiculed by the west thru their propaganda.. 1. The concept of actual toilet was originated in India. 2. Indians used the modern day Cologne or soap since 4000 yrs. (Lake clays, rose petals, sandalwood oil, turmeric as an antiseptic) 3. Indians bathe 2wice a day at least before going to the office and coming back home. 4. Indians used neem twigs as toothpaste which the west came to know in 21st century and now endorse thru dental association of their own medical system. 5. Indians never wear footwear at home. Just coz of hygiene. An avg indian house is much more sanitized and clean that any other country coz of its environment and exposure to dusty and windy atmosphere. I'm glad that the world has acknowledged the importance of hygiene (the Indian way) in this pandemic.

[@om8837]

Namaste🙏 U may very well explain the indian culture.....thanks dear...om shanti🕉️

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you so much! Trying to break western stereotypes of India here, so I'm very happy you thought I explained it well! Take care and stay safe! 🙏🕉️

[@om8837]

@@JohannaNorth Thanks for reply🕉️

[@veenakakade2833]

CORRECT...You have studied the Indian way of hygiene almost exact..there is much more to it.. I know u will learn and appreciate them as u live in India..tq very much for this video🙏

[@ravensdiadem8517]

Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to appreciate what you have....Thanks💜

[@whyme5024]

Excellent video. We are trained to drink from only from cups of certain size and design, usually smaller than 0.25 liter with bent upper edge (lips) so that it pours without spilling all over, not from any container that water is stored in. Personally, i feel satisfied only drinking water the Indian way even after living in USA for over 25 years.

[@bhismadevabiswas8199]

What do you do in India? Excellent content. Every race has something nicer and we all need to learn and adopt. We need people like you.

[@komalbhardwaj6157]

Every person in my home own like 10 hankies. Lol Since my childhood.

[@JohannaNorth]

Hahah! I don't think I've ever owned a hankie! :D

[@srishtimishra19]

Lol.... My mom used to pin it up over the front left side of my school dress so that I don't loose it.... Hankies are so basic here in India

[@shaileshparan]

And women could get in prints and match the dress etc. For the rest of us, a standard issue white or neutral colour.. and yes, even as boys, I recall the school uniform wasn't really complete until the hankie was in the pocket. Folded. Not stuffed in. LOL

[@jayantcahale]

You are so intelligent and considerate.. Namaste..🙏🙏🙏

[@sunilkumarpsunilkumarp3724]

Hi sister You are very very correct about Indian habits of cleaning exactly Myself being a malayali , we uses minimum 2 showers a day defently My wife very strict on cleaning inside house , it is a must even if not prapred food also .. Hand kercheif also a must for us defently no doubt Chappals outside .. it is also a MUST THING no doubt Thank you for right point focusing about India

[@vishalk4647]

Other than these I'd like to add one more. In India people have various fasts and for a festival (Navratri) people have a 9 days fast, it surely have religious importance but other than that it helps your body to detox and it also help in killing carcinogens in your body. Uses of spices and herbs also benefit a lot to body. In past people used to use stems of trees (babul trees) called datun to brush teeth which is way better than the chemical toothpastes and we still use them. We didn't use plastic vessels to store water in past, instead we have aluminum, stainless steel and copper vessels for that and water for drinking are usually kept in clay pots which keeps it cool.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Now that we are multicultural we may take part in more feasts but we don't join in the fasts, to balance the excess: e.g. Lent before Easter & Advent before Xmas.

[@vishalk4647]

@@faithlesshound5621 here in churches we are taught that no fast should be done without a purpose and there's no specific time to keep fasts. One can keep them whenever they want with some constructive intentions.

[@faithlesshound5621]

@@vishalk4647 Feasting is for fun, fasting for health: no need to involve religion.

[@vishalk4647]

@@faithlesshound5621 That's true.

[@kadamaniy1997]

Also drink water sitting position. Have water once mouthful hold your cheek and drink, do not pour continuously. This will largely reduce thyroid & tonsils issue. Even you pour upward, bring the mouth to normal position & swallow.

[@heatherh5795]

Great video!

[@damyantbains5849]

Thank you for education people about India.🙏❤

[@ChinmaiKh]

Even we also have so much things to learn from you guys ❤️. Let's live like a family' and keep out planet healthy in all terms.

[@JohannaNorth]

Yes this is so well said!! 😊

[@jhnknws1751]

You can try first to drink out of a metal tumbler that has the edge bent outward. It will not spill. Then you can try with the bottle. Trick is to maintain a constant flow. Secondly, namaste has a much deeper significance and not for the reasons you mentioned. In ancient Hindu philosophy, soul is immortal and we have cycle of birth and rebirth with the same soul. So namsate signifies my soul bows down to your soul. The folded hands and the slight bow or prostrating (near touching feet) signifies reverence and The folded hands near the chest signifies that my soul (is saluting your soul).

[@viduramdeworrastogi6857]

Namaste is great...but India also had the punjabi style of jhappi..hugs..no one can get away from those wonderful bear hugs from everyone..grandparents to little kids..so warm..so welcoming always! Miss that the most in lockdown!

[@JohannaNorth]

Oh that sounds so nice! I haven't experienced that in India 😊

[@shanmugaretnam9868]

The clasping of both hands to greet someone is practised till today in Thailand even within the business community. For those who may have seen Yul Bryner`s movie King and I would have noticed this traditional and respectful way of greeting a person.

[@Gefind]

Hey Johanna you are so original . I love ur videos. And I think u are as Indian than the innate people of India. I hope you have a great life in Kerala “ Gods own country”.

[@yogantha3999]

Very well presented! Here is an interesting, and additional, point that you may add to your repertoire. My grandparents had a separate set of garments they would use when they'd go to the loo! So, if they needed to go to the toilet, they'd change into their 'toilet clothes' and attend to their ablutions! Also, traditionally on road side stalls and cafes, tea and coffee would be served in single use earthenware cups, not Styrofoam, nor ceramics. I'm sure you'd have seen them in your wanderings. They're biodegradable, and hygienic.

[@pracheemukherjee2999]

You said you have a runny nose all the time. Check out pranayama or breath practice. Try doing this everyday morning - I started about a month ago and my allergies are almost gone. Including sniffling and runny noses.

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you for the tip!!

[@muzmuzaffamuz8421]

Wow great info and salute you for such a lovely information which is true and very logic when compare to westerners or some other counteries, it could be the basic requirement from the Hindu teaching. Salute you prettyay God bless you

[@Anonymous-kn8ph]

And now India has the highest rate of covid cases

[@sss-pg8dg]

And what about...students touch the feet of their teachers and Younger people touch the feet of their elders to show them respect

[@muralik8428]

The topic is about cleanliness not the culture

[@remabarve]

How many times you show the respect someone in a day? And how many times show affection by kissing each other in a day? Yes, Indians do respect touching feet sometimes they meet their elders ir teachers and not kissing 100 times in a day.

[@Rc-ff7rm]

The reason behind Touching feet and head is very scientific .do some research in acupresure and acupuncture..nail and tip of the fingure has some different use. Dont talk if you have shallow knowledge of any culture or religious belief.

[@krsubramanian6637]

Hi one thing in regard to pooping.. there is a yoga asana called Malasana, wherein one squats exactly like on a toilet..this helps if you have constipation and use the squat toilet. Another thing which is a very good practice in INDIA, and which the West had to forcibly adopt now, in Corona times is the concept of burning our dead in a cremation ground which helps in preventing sub-soil continuation in these times when the pandemic has affected as many as 184 countries.

[@rohitghali]

1. Wash hand before eating. 2. Indian toilets. 3. Hand kerchiefs. 4. Showering often. 5. Leave footwear outside the house. 6. Cleaning the house daily. 7. The way we drink water from above without touching with mouth. Best moment 13:36. Thank me later.

[@ghanshyampadhiyar2454]

Thanks a lot for t clips for sharing my Indian authentic cultural daily routine habits.. M feeling very proud first for you, cs you share this to all, then for me to n a Indian 👍👍👍👍Hv a great time you all alws dear 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@madhavangopalan9704]

Presented in a very pleasing manner.

[@kalyanaraman0307]

@Johanna, great video!! Some things that go unnoticed by us Indians also has been so neatly portrayed by you! I have a little clue for you to be able to drink water without having the bottle touch your mouth - try pouring more water into your mouth,when you fear the water just tumbles bit by bit and not in a flow and hence the angle gets disturbed. Ensure you are not breathing while you try to get that water into your mouth(just about 3 secs or so),that way fear of water entering the nose will not be there.. Try just tilting the bottle a little more so that water goes into your mouth precisely... You should be at it like a professional in just about a weeks time ☺️☺️Good luck!🙂 🙏

[@JohannaNorth]

Thanks for the tips! I might give another go in the future with all the tips I've received, at least for a vlog haha :D

[@raghubv7986]

Also forgot to mention, the first thing I pack during my foreign visits is mug. N another thing I don understand is foreigners drinking wat we call here soda n they call it sparkling water instead of regular water. N we need to exclusively ask "still water" to get normal water

[@JohannaNorth]

Still water is the norm in Finland too :) And I also carry my own water bottle for refills wherever I go!

[@19sunheart96]

Na, with the water cleaning method in the toilet there are two draw backs that you didn't mention: you have no option to dry yourself up after the wash. So you'll always have wet underwear, it barely ever dries. And if you are a woman you can't dry after number one as well which again comes on the underwear and makes ot even more wet... I would personally prefer a mix of both methods, water to clean and one tissue to dry

[@JohannaNorth]

Yeah I guess for many westerners (like myself too!) that would be a huge downside to it because that's the culture we grew up in, but for an average Indian person that's apparently not bothersome as they'll anyways soon sweat their underpants wet 😅

[@muditydv]

My grandmother used to tell during her times , women wore different sari inside the kitchen And they had to take a bath before entering the kitchen.

[@mridusmitas.9350]

My mother still does so.😌

[@aka_Rahul]

Lovely and so information content

[@lifehappened8251]

"Blowing nose in public" is so true.....it's the most yuckiest behaviour.

[@JohannaNorth]

It's a very common thing in Finland and my husband only told me after almost 4 years it's completely unacceptable in India! 😂🤦‍♀️

[@shahanerenuka29]

Johanna North when I first travelled abroad and so all these people around blowing noises like you mentioned, in a bus, in a closed train or a store I was appalled!! I still feel it is extremely disgusting to do so but i guess that’s because in colder countries people have cold all the time, unlike in our warmer climate. So I guess its fine for them 😌

[@aditsud5354]

@@JohannaNorth yes because we think of it as a sign of disrespect and disregard in india. I cannot believe that you do it publicly in the west?! I've been to many countries in Europe and I've never encountered someone blowing their nose. Maybe I was lucky or unlucky, however you see it.

[@modmissy7622]

Nice presentation, good points. There are many things India should also learn from other countries about public cleanliness and public safety. People who are generally clean in their own houses don't care to keep their surroundings clean. But the bum gun or health faucet is the best invention and suits Indians washroom habits. You have a beautiful apartment, where do you live?

[@JohannaNorth]

Yes I definitely agree personal/home hygiene is much better understood in India than the public cleanliness which I find so baffling!! Things for the both sides to learn from each other 😊🙏 We live in Kannur district in Kerala

[@Bibhusohini0424]

Nicely explained 👍

[@rajeshapte3321]

One more thing that comes to mind is while cooking if one needs to taste, he will not use the same spoon again that was used for tasting. He will either wash or change the spoon. Reason is the food is also for others and he will always use a fresh spoon to dip in . Also even within family members people will not share the same spoons or utensils used by other members unless washed

[@JohannaNorth]

I've also been taught by my mom to not put a same spoon in a pot twice 😊 though I gotta admit I'm not too strict about it when I cook just for myself and the hubby

[@rajeshapte3321]

@@JohannaNorth 😁😊

[@Divyarai1233.]

now everyone have wash basine at their home but before wash basine we Indian use a Hand washing vessel a pot like vessel which specially designed for hand washing

[@Enigma99999]

Nice to see things through another prism. Very informative and interesting observations. Please keep sharing.

[@veeral1988]

And the most nice and exciting part was u trying to drinking bottle water untouch with lips. I feel that simple mechanism of holding the bottle stilled and along with that surely allowing the water flow at stable speed

[@JohannaNorth]

Haha still trying to learn! :D

[@veeral1988]

@@JohannaNorth am sure u will do soon

[@amanbharaj5080]

I don’t know about others, but my mother taught us not to share utensils and bottles with other while eating or drinking. I m 28 and she still scolds me if I share my spoon or anything other utensil with someone.

[@JohannaNorth]

Haha indian moms ❤️

[@mahalakshmisatyanarayana1579]

i know right!!! even within family members... mom, dad, bro or sis... its a complete no no.. my grandmother used to frown down when i give her something i bit into.. So we always break it off first and then have..

[@ruchichaudhary1229]

Very clear explanation Even l have learnt something new about lndia from u only dear😝

[@Atman81]

Another thing you missed goes with washing hands after eating. Rinsing mouth is imperative & definite after every meal.

[@lokeshk4642]

Very good observations; all of them are accurate. I have lived in the US for over 20 years now :-).

[@kumar2748]

Congrats Johana for 13 k subscribers. Yesterday u had 12.4 subscriber. I told u u will get 300 subscribers per day.

[@JohannaNorth]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@muditydv]

Also women during their periods are given a break from daily chores for taking rests and hygienic reasons

[@Lotus-hf5om]

Yes

[@sayalieklahare205]

In most houses u will have different utensils for eating n cooking meat. In my house I have to wash my hands every time I handle eggs, meat, onion n garlic in order to handle anything else like water salt sugar or basically anything else

[@JohannaNorth]

Yes my mother-in-law being strictly pure veg also always gives me separate utensils for preparing my eggs ☺️

[@MrKrishluv]

Thanks for being truthful.

[@kadamaniy1997]

After using toilet it's just not only washing your hands and feet but it's very important to flush your mouth. When you exert pressure in bowel there is also some upward movement possibly exiting thro mouth. It's our home age old practice.

[@JohannaNorth]

Oh that's new to me! Really interesting