A friendly stranger invites me for tea, food, a shop or his family
Probably a sales path. Be polite, decline, and make your own plans.
Kindness is real in Delhi. But when a stranger starts the chat in a tourist area and then suggests a cafe, a rooftop, a "special" shop or his uncle's place, travellers report it ends in pressure to buy or pay. In one detailed report, a "helpful" person who warned a couple about another scam turned out to be working with the driver and the others.
Say this
“That's kind, but no thank you. I have plans.”
In Hindi: Aapki meherbani, par nahin. Mera plan hai.
Do this
- Decline once, politely. You don't owe a reason.
- Keep walking toward a place you picked yourself.
- If you want to meet locals, choose a public place you found in advance, like a cafe or a walking or food tour with real reviews.
Keep in mind
Not every invitation is a trick. The warning signs are a stranger who started the chat, a tourist area, and a plan that sends you somewhere they chose. A family at your own hotel or a friend of a friend is different.
Use this instead
A guide or tour you booked in advance with real reviews.
Where this comes from · checked Oct 2026
- r/india: a first morning at Connaught Place (Sep 2026)
- r/india_tourism: tuk-tuk drivers inviting a visitor for food (Feb 2026)
Traveller posts are individual accounts, not a count. This is guidance, not legal advice or a guarantee. When in doubt, don't pay and check with your hotel.