If you are going to India - here's our TIPS:
(Most of them are suitable for women).............
1) You have to be prepare with auto-rickshaws - they are so annoying and rip-off. You only have to is inform the driver where you going and ask for the price before getting on the rickshaw, if too expensive, just walk off and find another (there are MANY rickshaws everywhere!) I'm sure that driver will run after you and will agree to reduce the fare! Let them think that you are the one who is boss!
2) Be prepare that auto-rickshaw drivers may take you to a wrong location and then ask for more prices before taking you to a right location - just firm and said no.
3) Remember that auto-rickshaw get lots of commissions from the hotels - actually the driver will persuade you to the different hotel (that not what you want) if you say yes, they will get big commission and the hotel will charge you more. If you firmly said no, so the driver will take you to the hotel what you really want (but you didn't book the room yet) the driver will go and see the receptionist saying he took you here, so he will get commission as well - the best way is ask the driver to drop off somewhere such as restaurants or famous landmarks that close to the hotel then walk to the hotel.
4) For women - when an Indian man ask you if you are married - just say yes! Don't say that you have boyfriend because they think "boyfriend" mean nothing to them, just like you have male friends.
5) Don't give the poor children sweets - but bottled water and fruits would be best, would be good if rice as well because children don't look after their teeth properly, if eat too much sweets will destroy their teeth - the main problem is lots of tourists gave them lots of sweets. The children have lots of kidney stones because of not enough water!!
6) If touts came and bother you - just walk off and don't eye-contact with them. If still bother you, just say 'po' (it is an offensive word for them!) but do not say 'po' front of the children - or shout 'NO!'
7) You will be photographed all the time from Indian people because they wanted to have pictures of white people in their holiday albums - (For women) If men want to take pictures of you - just said no, because they can show the pictures of you to his friends saying he have been sleeping with you!! But if a man want to take pictures of you with his wife and children - that's fine. If women want to take pictures of you - that's fine.
8) If you want to buy the things - the shopkeeper will charge you more because you are a tourist, just firm and try to get the price down if you can - if you are not happy with price, just walk off, they will run after you and will agree to reduce the price.
9) If a man is staring at you - just staring back! He will look away - no problem, but if he won't look away, just said what? If not working, just try to throw the water at him, he will walk off.
10) Beggers and disabled people here will give you a hard time here - just ignore them and walk off. I know it is hard to ignore them, feel sorry for them but I can't because they will beg you all the time, if you give them money then they will ask for more and more.
11) Tipping: just give 10 rupees for the restaurant service, or someone delivered the drinks to your room - so they will appreciate you more and service you better and better. 20 rupees can be if you are really happy with their service.
12) Do not smile too much, otherwise Indian men would think that you are up for anything and flirting with them!! Big problem for me, I always smile! But I have been improved alot since!
13) If a man buy you things such as drink, food etc - just said no, because he will buy you things, then lead you to his shop or his family's shop - then took all your things such as money, passport etc. Or could be worse, you know! If you said no at first place, so they will leave you alone. (More likely everywhere in North India)
14) Never going out on your own at nights - just make sure that you are with someone.
15) Sadly, but true is don't trust Deaf men as well - just be careful with them. I'm sure Deaf women are fine.
If you follow all the tips, so you will be fine, trust us!
If you are planning to travel in India - just ask us and happy to throw all the information at you!
Ciao, Lydia xxx
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1 comment:
hi n nice to read ur post .its very funny ,but all tht u wrote is true ,it seems u had faced so many hurdles on ur holidays in india ,but indians r very friendly ppl ,india has 24 states
n belive me each state ppl have a diff lifestle n thinkin n diff food ,indians love white ppl (the same way if kids see a elephant on oxford street in london),indians would start dreamin of being with u on a mere smile but belive few good ppl r thr like me too ;)
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