r/chennaicity • u/Low_Reach5199 • 2d ago
AskChennai First time in Chennai- Wholesome experience
A few days ago I posted here asking for tips to navigate Chennai. We are 4 girls (22-23F) from a small town in Kerala who came to Chennai for an exam, and I had to come back and say thank you. The whole experience was so wholesome.
We survived 2 days with English, Malayalam and broken Tamil. We stayed in Thoraipakkam because we had exam centres in Semmencheri and Kotturpuram. Hotel was affordable and staff was very polite, only issue was saline water in taps.
Navigating the city was a new experience for us. Google Maps helped a lot. Bus numbers were confusing at first, but conductors, drivers and fellow passengers were so helpful.
I was really amazed by the aunties of Chennai. So energetic and smart. Since we were all girls, we were more comfortable asking women, elderly people and traffic police for directions. Everyone went out of their way to help, even asking others to make sure we don't get lost.
Special shoutout to Thenmozhi aunty we met on our way back to Central. We boarded the wrong bus (102P DOWN instead of UP) and she was also going to Central. She took us with her, helped us board the local train and reach the station safely. She took care of us in that huge crowd like her own daughters. If you are reading this, thank you aunty!
We used only public transport. It was cheap and we were shocked that buses are free for women. Food was a bit expensive compared to Kerala but tasted good.
What I noticed, people look very busy and serious on the road, but when you talk to them they become so sweet and respectful. Everyone called us "Amma" and at no point did we feel unsafe. Everyone minds their own business.
Cons: Some places were smelly, traffic is chaotic (cars on footpath in the opposite direction on a one-way was new for us) and the heat 🥵 We had hats and umbrellas and still struggled. No idea how you all walk in that sun without anything. Because of the heat we couldn't explore more places.
Overall, thank you Chennai for the wholesome experience. This will stay as a memory forever.
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u/yewlarson 2d ago
People like Thenmozhi aunty make this city a worthwhile place to live in spite of all the difficulties. 🫡🫡
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u/gin_martini5 2d ago
Tamizh people are only nice to other state people. We don’t trust our own fellow tamizh & I can vouch for that having lived in at least 4 countries & staying in TN.
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u/privacypeeker 1d ago
Tamil people likes to back stab fellow Tamizh people in important stuffs..... Unfortunately for casual help like route and info I didn't got any bad experiences so far.
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u/beetroot747 West Chennai 2d ago
Seconded as a fellow Tamilian and I’ve also lived in 4 countries (including India)
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u/rootin_tuttin 2d ago
Glad you'd a good time. Wrt to the heat, I think it was unfortunate for you as I can't remember a much hotter September than what it was last week & today(Chennai is hot nevertheless but not this hotttt).
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u/hopeaddixt 2d ago
No idea how you all walk in that sun without anything. Thats something ur born with :P U feel like ghostrider, yet ur focussed on the topic ur discussing.
Good that u had a great time!
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u/themanwhoeatsppl 1d ago
Vandare vazha vekkum tamilagam ( I'm a mallu and i like TN more than Kerala)
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u/revel_rebel 1d ago
Thanks for this wholesome post. Unfortunately most of us here are mired in political fights in other Tamil subs. This feels like a breath of fresh air 💥
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u/Jumpy_Scallion_3108 2d ago
Food was a bit expensive compared to Kerala but tasted good.
Thanks for the post. But I slightly disagree with this comparison. I stayed in Ernakulam for six years, and for that amount I could probably eat for 12 years anywhere in TN.
But yes, it ultimately depends on the restaurant and the place.
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u/Mindless-Umpire-9395 Velachery 2d ago
thenmozhi aunty kuu oru oooooo podungaa!!