Thursday, July 11, 2013

India

India dos:


  • Do recognize a head wag to mean 'yes'.
  • Do understand that Indians see time as being flexible.
  • Do learn the traditional Indian greeting of 'namaste'.
  • Do bargain with half price when you buy things from roadside stalls or hawkers, but do not bargain in proper shops especially where display “fixed price” signs.
  • Do drink bottled water only.
  • Do  eat curds (yogurt) with your food.   It’s the only thing (besides bananas, locally called “plaintains”) that will cut the “karam” (chili spice) heat of the food.

India donts:


  • Do not wear clothes which can attract attention. Wearing shorts and a tank top might be okay in the city, but a strict no-no in the towns and villages. Men can wear almost anything though.
  • Do not accept food from people in the railway station or on the road, unless you think he is trustworthy. Cases have been reported when travelers have been duped and robbed.
  • Do not call someone to you by putting your hand out, palm down, and bringing your fingers inward toward your palm.
  • Do not touch anyone's head.
  • Do not offer to shake the hand of a person of the opposite sex unless they offer first.
  • Do not walking over books and paper, even newspaper or even touching them with your feet, as Indian people treat books as a metaphor for the Goddess of learning.
  • Do not point your finger at anyone. (Use your chin to point.)
  • Do not enter a temple, tomb, dargah or Gurudwara with shoes on. Leather articles are forbidden to be carried in Hindu & Jain temples.
  • Do not wear black clothes while visiting a Jain temple.
  • Do not drink any alcohol or smoke in public. It’s offensive.
  • Do not hang your underwear in the open to dry.
  • Do not touch anyone or receive/give anything with one’s left hand. The left hand is only used for one’s “morning business.”
  • Do not sit with your foot (and especially your sandal/shoe) pointing at anyone.   Therefore, you do not cross your legs except with your foot pointing down.   You will often sit on the floor, so do not do so with your legs stretched out in front of you.
  • Do not presume to sit next to a person of the opposite sex, unless you or they are elderly, when you are in a car, train, bus.
  • Do not ever purchase air, rail or bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents or tour operators. In any case avoid persistent touts and taxi-wallahs at airport/stations/bus stand to help you find your hotel. Always use tourist assistance desk for proper advice.


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