I'm going to India next year, any advice?

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Amelia

From my experience in the south... if you hit your foot on someone by accident (especially in more orthodox areas such as a village) make sure you say sorry... it's disrespectful.

In most homes take your shoes off at the door.

Greet the opposite sex with folded hands, especially if you are a male... unless a hand is first extended to you... (again... i worked a lot in the village... so if you are in a more metro environment... these things are commonly more laxed... especially the younger the people)

Use your right hand when exchanging money, handing someone something and eating...

Dress modestly especially if you are female... this is respectful... salwars are also a great and comfortable option...

Take a heavy poncho (great ones at military surplus stores) for monsoon season... especially if you plan on riding a scooter/motor bike...

If someone shows up at your home... serve them coffee/chai and biscuits... always make time for guests... even unexpected ones... this is very important...

Eat what is offered to you in someone's home... even if you are scared of it...

Wash your fruits/veggies in a cap of bleach and a tub of water for 20 minutes... then rinse with water until you adjust to the environment...

Do not eat off the streets until you adjust to the environment...

Drink bottled water until you adjust, as well...

Take hand sanitizer and insect repellent... buy mosquito coils there...

Savor every moment... choose to see things to love... ways to help... overlook the negative (each nation has plenty)... open your heart... mind... stomach... and enjoy the most beautiful and challenging time of your life... don't be ethnocentric... the American way is not always the best or right way (and I'm American btw)... learn... enjoy... and most importantly... spend time with the people... make more Indian friends than western friends... you will be glad you did...

I shared this on another question...

India is extraordinary =

beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular or established

Uncommon = unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary

Rare = unusually excellent; admirable; fine

Amazing = causing great surprise or sudden wonder

Exceptional = unusually excellent; superior

Remarkable = notably or conspicuously unusual; extraordinary

Unusual = not usual, common, or ordinary

Landing in India... there is that smell that rushes back every memory of every moment spent in this unfathomable land. In one moment, a bit of fear; oh gosh... what have I gotten myself back into... in the same moment... I am so happy to be home (away from home, of course).

Communication... barriers... taxi, how much to Kasturinagar? What? It is daytime... you can not charge double meter... where's the police? I am not a ferengi (foreigner)... I live here! Ohhhkay... Ohhhhkay madame.... meter... meter...

Roadways... congestion, pot holes, horns, yelling, ox-carts, oxen, cows, street dogs, goats, produce carts, bicycles, goods carriers, busses, auto rickshaws, cars, vans, scooters, motorcycles, pedestrians, beggars, sellers (flowers, food, etc.)... windows down, or open air travel... warm wind on your face... sun shining...

Windows with misquito mesh... open 24/7... fans on... warmth... breeeze... clanking of steel vessels all around... sellers shouting from the street below... voices from homes... horns honking... vehicles travelling... people shouting...

One moment from a nervous break-down... one moment from the reason you love being here... crazy... beautiful... wonderful...

Life... always life... so much of it... all of the time...

Then there's the village... my favorite...

akram07

Mussouri is the Queen of Hill Stations in North India .
Welcome to India Chloe.

mouli

India is the best place to visit.. but be careful about the begger around you.. do not feed them at any cost.. If you are visiting North India pls visit TAJ MAHAL and Gate way of India. Pls check incridible India website for more details. Thanks for comming to India... Chandra Mouli

rwb

only advice is dont go. its going to get nasty between india and pakistan in the next few months.

Minti

Check out the source dude...

munish b

Mussorie is in Uttrakhand , it is a hill station near Dehradun.

Around 6 hours from Delhi by road.

Regarding customs, people are very religious in this part of india. So you need too respect their Culture.

But students studying there are from Delhi and other parts of India.So i dont think you will have any problem related to customs and clothing.

Funniest dude on this mutha

BAG YOUR FECAL MATTER AND SHIP IT TO THE U.S. IT WONT BE HAPPY THERE

Cody

India is a very interesting country. There are many people, cultures, and beliefs. More than 1,500 languages and dialects are spoken in India. The constitution recognizes 15 regional languages.I'd figure out what language is spoken there and about their perticular customs because there is a big diversity in India just like in America. I'd give someone different advice if they were moving to montana over brooklyn, NY.

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