A. Don’t dress distinctively
B. Learn how to stand in line
C. Sometimes you have to be rude
D. Don’t sit in the front seat of a bus
E. Start your time in India away from the big cities
F. Bring your sense of humor and wisdom with you
No travel guide will ever prepare you for the shock you might experience once you arrive in India. Here are some tips from experienced tourists.
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Dealing with touts over matters such as hotel rooms and rickshaw rides can potentially be a bit frustrating at times and your sense of humor and patience will certainly come in handy. I once saw a tourist get into an argument with an Internet cafe owner for 30 minutes over the equivalent of 25 cents. It’s not worth it. Be firm, funny and patient and you’ll be able to bargain down to a price that is reasonable for you and doesn’t cause the other person to lose face.
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Stick your belly and breast to the person ahead of you. If you leave half a centimeter in between, someone will come in line between you! Also, as a related note, if you want to order something at a restaurant counter or shop, say it out loud. If you’re going to stand there waiting for someone to ask you what you want, it can take all day long. No need to be rude, be assertive. And don’t be shocked when Indians don’t acknowledge your"Thank you". That doesn’t mean Indians are rude — it’s just a cultural difference.
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This may be an experience of pure terror that will be the thing of nightmares for years to come. In the South of India red buses are known as"Red Killers". This name apparently came about due to their insane driving. Sit further back, at least you can’t see just how close each almost head-on encounter with a truck really is.
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The country can be overwhelming at first, so explore places where the chaos is a little less, such as the backwaters of Kerala, the Thar Desert outside Jaisalmer, and the Himalayan foothills of Dharamsala. Your time away from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc., will give you a chance to find your feet in India.
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Not only is it important to follow the local dress on a daily basis, but also it’s even more crucial to do so when you have to take care of something that involves bureaucracy. Say you need to do a visa extension or you got a fine and need to head to the police station, then dress accordingly so that people will take you seriously. It might sound silly, but I have gone around town with various kinds of clothes and have experienced the tremendous difference that what I am wearing can affect the way that local people interact with me.