Watch: 11 “strange” Indian habits a Russian creator now swears by

Adjusting to life in a new country often means picking up habits you never expected. For Anastasia Sharova, a Russian creator who has been in India for the past four years, these changes have become part of her everyday routine.In a recent Instagram reel titled “Strange habits that I adopted when I moved to India,” she shared 11 quirky ways her lifestyle has shifted since moving here. The clip, which has now crossed two million views, highlights the little adjustments that come with settling into a new culture and has resonated widely with viewers.Short honks before blind turnsSharova has grown accustomed to giving a quick honk before taking blind turns– a small practice that reflects how driving etiquette differs in India.Shoes off before enteringShe now removes her shoes before entering homes and shops, a gesture she says makes perfect sense in the local context.Family hair oiling ritualsOiling hair together with family has become part of her routine, highlighting the communal and traditional aspects of Indian life.Evening mosquito smoke sessionsTo ward off mosquitoes, Sharova follows the evening routine of burning incense or other substances, a method she has incorporated into her daily life.

Pickles on the dining tableA jar of pickles has become a constant on her dining table, reflecting how integral this accompaniment is to Indian meals.The “accha” nodShe has adopted the subtle nod that accompanies the word “accha,” a common way to show agreement or understanding in India.Drinking water without touching the bottleSharova has embraced the practice of drinking water without letting the bottle touch her lips, following a habit widely observed in India.Carrying a steel flaskA steel water bottle has become an essential part of her routine, in line with the local preference for reusable containers.Fennel or cardamom after mealsChewing fennel seeds or cardamom after meals is now part of her daily life, reflecting the common Indian practice for digestion and freshness.Greeting with folded handsHandshakes have been replaced by the Indian greeting of folded hands, or “namaste,” which Sharova now prefers.Checking shoes and bathroomsLiving in a rural area, she routinely checks her shoes and bathrooms for frogs and sometimes snakes, a precaution born from experience.Adapting to local lifeSharova explains why she calls these habits “strange”: “You may ask why I called them strange. Because when people from outside see them out of context, they ask me: Why did you do that? For me, now they are the most logical things to do.”Her story reflects the gradual adjustments and small practices that become meaningful when adapting to a new cultural environment, offering insight into the everyday realities of life in India.