Is Chennai safe for foreign tourists?

Is it safe in Chennai, India for tourists?

Kaylan Tanuku, American who has visited India

I went to Chennai this past April 2015 with my Indian husband to visit his family. I'm a white woman, and we brought our 3-year old daughter. If you're travelling with friends who are from Chennai...

Some friends and I went to college with an exchange student from India for one semester, and now he's invited us to India to visit. So fa... MoreLoading…

Some friends and I went to college with an exchange student from India for one semester, and now he's invited us to India to visit. So far it's just me and one other friend, we are both white women. I've read online that it's pretty safe, but my parents seem to think its the worst place on the planet. Any experiences you would like to share? Tips?

Kaylan Tanuku, American who has visited India

I went to Chennai this past April 2015 with my Indian husband to visit his family. I'm a white woman, and we brought our 3-year old daughter.  If you're travelling with friends who are from Chennai, they'll know which areas are safe for you to be in. People will stare at you, but it's almost always out of curiosity rather than hostility. Whenever I'm in India I personally don't go out alone without my husband or in-laws to escort me around, but that's also a practical concern because how would I ever find my way around!

My advice is that you should take the opportunity and go - travelling to a foreign country is such a different, richer experience when you go with someone who is from there.