Mind you, religion is a sensitive topic for most Indians. It
is nice to keep your rational / logical self under wraps and
follow the harmless norms. Just be sober and friendly in any
holy place and remember some must-dos that should keep everyone
happy.
•
Step no. 1 is to remove your shoes, sandals, sneakers, slippers
etc. This is done to keep God’s place clean. If you hate
walking barefoot and are lucky enough, there might be a cloth
overshoe provided to you. Also, wash your hands and feet, if
you please - it isn't compulsory but just another sign of reverence
to the deity.
• Alcohol is a strict no-no inside the
premises, though, in some temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, liquor
might be the holy offering itself. It is said that Shiva loved
his sips and probably needed them to beat the cold in his homelands,
the snowy Himalayas.
• At some holy places, you might not be
allowed in if you don't practice the faith. Don’t mind
this. And, worst, don’t force or bribe to enter.
• If you are a woman and in a dress that
exposes your legs or hugs your body etc., beware. Though you
might not be stopped from entering the sacred place but such
dresses are seen 'indecent'. An Indian attire like a Sari, salwar-suit
is ideal. A loose blouse and a long skirt can do too. Covering
your head before entering a Sikh Gurudwara or a mosque will
be appreciated. And when you enter a mosque, step your right
foot first into the courtyard. It is the ‘right’
thing to do.
• Since most Hindu and Jains are veggies,
it isn’t surprising that leather products like shoes,
belts, handbags, camera cases etc. are prohibited.
• Now for some body language once you
are inside. Do not point your feet and back towards the Holy
Book / the idol / altar. In a Hindu or Sikh temple, sit cross-legged
or tuck your feet away.
• Some temples prohibit photography in
the main hall and the inner sanctum. Usually, signboards announce
this. Be prudent and ask if there are no such indications. Some
temples and other monuments levy a fee for photography.
• In a Buddhist monastery, remember to
follow a clockwise direction while any sort of movement –
from spinning prayer wheels to walking around the stupa or even
the exteriors. Inside, do not plonk yourself on the cushions
and chairs. These are reserved for the lamas or the monks. Sit
on the steps outside or on the floor. If you get to meet a rimpoche
(head lama) or any respected monk, it's polite not to turn one's
back on him while leaving. It is decent to remove the hat and
lower an umbrella within the monastery. Basically, be your courteous
best.
•
Travel healthy. Once on the road (or in the air ), take all precautions
that will keep you from that running nose (or tummy !), dizzy
body temperatures, giddy hangovers etc. Make sure you don't embark
on a trip even if there are some early signs of a sickness.
•
Cholera, dengue fever, dysentery, hepatitis, malaria, meningitis
(trekking areas only) and typhoid are the risks here.
•
Travelers from the US, Canada or the United Kingdom do not require
any vaccination certificate. Though normally, an International
Health Certificate is not asked for by the immigration officials,
its always better to carry one. Remember to play safe ! God
forbid but just in case you need medical attention, this will
be an invaluable piece of paper. Carry certificates like the
one for Yellow Fever Vaccination. Precautions
•
If you believe in taking precautions, take all the vaccinations
one needs. To avoid malaria and dengue, carry mosquito repellents,
nets and sprays. If you can bear the heat, wear clothes that
cover most of the body.
•
The best thumb rule is to be a careful about food and water.
Eating raw salads and fried food from a street-side vendor is
a no-no. Avoid pork too. If the temptation is soaring, go to
a clean restaurant that you can trust. Eat balanced and healthy
meals. Keep popping those friendly multi-vitamins.
•
Water has to be from a reliably clean source. If not sure where
the water comes from, ask for a known brand of mineral water.
Always carry a water bottle with you - this will save you from
dehydration too. (Make yourself a quick salt-sugar solution
- 1/2 tsp. salt and 4 tbsp. in one liter of water - to re-hydrate
those parched cells). If you cannot lay hands on branded water,
use chlorine / iodine tablets in water. These kill germs that
can cause water-borne diseases. Read the instructions carefully
and do not overdo these.
•
Carry a first aid kit with adhesive bandages, thermometer, water-purification
tablets, antibiotics, antiseptic creams and mosquito repellents.
•
If you fall ill, see the doc and keep cool. Tell yourself that
this too shall pass !
•
In India, more often than not, a tip is money paid to get things
done and not for something well done !
•
Tips are optional in a not-so-fancy restaurant. Place only a
few rupees as a tip and not a percentage of your bill. But outside
restaurants and hotels, tipping or ‘baksheesh’ is
commonly practiced.
•
At most eating joints, you can pocket the tip unless you are
in a swanky, upmarket one - the kinds that dot the metros and
has liveried
men serving you. Some tourist restaurants and hotels add a 10%
service charge to the bills.liveried men serving you. Some tourist
restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge to the bills.
•
In a 5 star, the waiter, room service boy, housekeeper, porter,
doormen will all expect tips. For railway porters, always fix
a price before taking his services. For a not-so-heavy bag,
Rs. 5 - 10 per bag is ok. Yet much depends on the weight.
•
No tips for taxi drivers unless he miraculously got you to the
airport or put you on a train that you never thought you could
make it to. Rs. 50-100 is a handsome one. Give a local guide
Rs. 50 for 4 hours of his service and Rs. 80 for a full day.
•
Hand out a few rupees to people whom you photograph on the road
like the snake charmer, the cart puller or the camel rider...
•
Carry small change - you'll need it often for people who help
you with little things like those who keep your shoes outside
temples/mosques etc.
•
No tips for taxi drivers unless he miraculously got you to the
airport or put you on a train that you never thought you could
make it to. Rs. 50-100 is a handsome one. Give a local guide
Rs. 50 for 4 hours of his service and Rs. 80 for a full day.
•
Hand out a few rupees to people whom you photograph on the road
like the snake charmer, the cart puller or the camel rider...
•
Carry small change - you'll need it often for people who help
you with little things like those who keep your shoes outside
temples/mosques etc.
•
The Indian bazaar - a place that puts your temptation resistance
skills at test. They are stuffed with bright and beautiful things
- handicrafts, silks, ethnic jewelry, curios and what have you.
You can shop till you drop. Read more to be a smart shopper
in India.
•
First, the thumb rule - get the right bargain. This stands for
all items that don't come with an MRP (Maximum Retail Price)
stamp like clothes, jewelry, leather goods, carpets, paintings
etc. Don't grab the first good-looking
thing and pay extra bucks for it. And who knows....it might
be fake or of poor quality. Always, always look around, compare
prices and then buy.
•
Exporting items like ivory, fur, animal skins, antiquities etc.
is illegal. If you must have it, obtain a certificate of legitimate
sale and permission for export before leaving the country.
•
If you don't see what you're looking for in a store, ask. There's
more than meets the eye ! Most stores have little display space,
so much of the stock is above the ceiling or in a separate room.
•
Visit the various state emporia and the Central Cottage Industries
Emporia (most major cities have one like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai,
Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc.) The prices here are fixed
and will give you a fair idea of the cost with a regular dealer.
•
If you need a delivery, ask if the price includes delivery charges.
Be ready to pay additional customs (generally 20% of the cost)
and handling charges (normally a 10% of the total value of the
good).
•
Never, never believe the touts (they hang around the tourist-y
spots and cities) who promise to take you to the best shop around
and get you the best bargain. They usually have their handsome
commissions built into the cost.
•
Those sparkling gems and patterned carpets look very attractive
but the market is flooded with imitations. You don't want to
pay for a 'real' one and get a fake, do you? Be sure you know
the grain from the chaff !
•
Just a suggestion. While buying carpets, look for one with a
Smiling Carpet label - these come from factories that do not
employ child labor.
•
Once upon a time, women traveling alone used to be frowned upon
in India, but times are a changin'. Ladies travel a lot more
now - infact, there are now ladies’ queues for train tickets,
ladies’ compartments in trains and even ladies’
seats in buses. So you see, it is not that bad.
•
The 1st commandment - Be friendly but don't get friendly, especially
with those servicing you in hotels, trains or even your cabbie
or coolie.
• Don't wear anything that attracts glances or invites
cat calls. In metros like Delhi, Mumbai etc., it is ok to dress
western but in smaller cities and towns, short skirts, tight
pants or blouses can make you stand out in the crowd. Dress
sober - loose and long clothes that neither define body shape
nor expose it.
•
If you believe in taking precautions, take all the vaccinations
one needs. To avoid malaria and dengue, carry mosquito repellents,
nets and sprays. If you can bear the heat, wear clothes that
cover most of the body.
•
Never accept a ride to..…anywhere..…if there's someone
accompanying the driver in a taxi or an auto-rickshaw.
•
Keep your hotel room locked while you are inside. Chain locking
your hotel room door is a smart precaution.
•
It's a good idea to avoid eye contact. If your eyes like to
look around and you cannot resist glancing, put on sun glasses
while out of doors or just carry an interesting book and glue
your vision there.
No place is completely safe. Yet, some are safer than others.
The safest of cities can be 'unsafe' at a different time of
the day or have 'seedy' places. So, why worry? Just pick your
bags and trip on !
•
Don't be reckless. Rely on your senses and instincts and not
so much on the local Tourist office. Remember they will always
want to play it down.
•
Agreed that you want to experience local culture etc. but never
accept invitations from locals to their homes for a chai or
a meal. Not unless you want to invite trouble.
•
Carry your passport, travelers cheques, money, cards etc. in
an inner shirt/jeans pocket. Better still, shove them in a hidden
money belt against your skin. You can then dance around pickpockets
and yet be safe. The worst thing to do is to carry them in a
zippy bag hung over the shoulders. You will never know when
someone just slips it out. The fanny bags or waist packs spell
'money' to pickpockets and make you an easy prey to swoop on.
You cannot escape their nimble fingers and sharp razors.
•
Turn your alarm sensors on when in crowded places like airports,
railways stations etc. Watch for faces that are always lurk
in a radius of 10 feet. |
