Today I visited Furtados School of Music.  I walked up the stairs and noticed a shoe collection of all different sizes, styles and types at the top of the stairs.  Instinctively, I added my own to the collection and walked around in feet covered with panty hose.  (I was dressed in a black Tahari skirt suit complete with jacket.)

Panty hose or socks that can tear easily are clothing items that should never be worn in Mumbai.  Many places request that you take off your shoes.  As an American, your mind jumps to religious reasons for this request.  That answer may have been true hundreds, if not thousands of years ago but is not true today except in religious places and some homes.

It is for hygiene reasons.  Yes, I know what you all are thinking.  Hygiene?  But is it not more hygienic for your feet to be covered?  Not if you are trucking through the sludge and whatever else comes up from the sewers during Monsoon season.  Mumbai is generally dusty and smoky as well.

Sorry ladies, it is time to shave your legs if you visit Mumbai.

A friend of mine wondered what the comment of shave your legs meant if you were wearing pants.  Many women wear capris and cross their legs.  Now, if they are in  a culture where hairy legs are acceptable, then my comment is moot.  But, if they are in a culture that does shave their legs, then the hair will show.