What should I know about india before I spend a year there?

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Lex

I'm standing here beside myself!!

steven_p_ohio

don't stand up in a crowded room and announce that you'd like a nice thick, juicy steak.

LittlePony

Find out where you're going to be staying, the menu around, any diseases or illness common there, and get the shot for it. (malaria etc) Hospitals nearby, restaurants, entertainment, sights, etc

make sure you're prepared before you leave the country.

Have fun!

Yancy

bring medicine for giardia, don't bring anything white unless don't mind it getting ruined, don't keep your wallet in your back pocket. Go to Goa. They speak english in most places. As far as customs go, don't use your left hand a whole lot and don't point your feet at people.

doubledeuce44

India is a conservative country. Try the following:

1. learn a few greetings in Hindi for courtesy. Most ppl speak at least some pidgin English, so you can get by with it

2. dress conservatively. pants for grown men. shorts are for tourists and spirituality wannabes

3. dont get wigged out by the crowds. it can be rather alarming at times. Whatever u do, DONT give money to beggar children no matter how impoverished they look. Its a business, and they'll spot a sucker immediately (poverty is kind of a given out there, so dont feel bad about it)

4. roadside ppl tend to stare, esp if u stick out (that usually means non-Indian people, or guys in shorts). dont let that bother u. they dont mean any harm.

5. do NOT eat at the stalls or u will wind up with a pretty nasty case of diarrhea. The water system is not entirely sanitary for American GI systems.

6. Hindu temples are fascinating. U usually shud wash ur feet, take off ur footwear and stand in line for the blessing by the priest. he'll walk up and down with a small lamp that u touch briefly, then touch ur head. Watch everyone else.

U shud definitely visit Chennai, Bombay, and Delhi/Agra for a full feel of India.

karteek

well in india its totally diffrent from other countries its not like U.S pepole are friendly u must really know an indian language suppose ur going to Andhra Pradhesh(state)you have to learn telugu and ofcource u have to learn how to bargain

Shae C

Know what kind of curry you want.

just_whatever26

their language ;)

lol

but really, you should learn customs, so you won't offend anyone...

Space Coast Virtual Services

no pda so I hear: from the news today where richard gere is in big trouble for kissing in public!

Raeed A

you should go to taj mahal, there customs are not too many in these days so i don't think you need to wory about them. you should search online to learn their language.

msbluemd

All I know is that remember not to hug or kiss anyone there and be careful not to look someones wife in the eyes for too long. That's a huge sign of disrespect in their culture if you glaze into the eyes of someone elses wife or wife to be. Also, eat all your food that is given to you or you order. It's also considered REALLY disrespectful not to finish a meal. Never wear your shoes inside a person's house unless you have your "inside shoes". Keep you seat belt on and your head down when you travel by taxi. They always drive crazy! If you are white, they'll jack prices up 3 or 4 times what it really is. Always go to buy something knowing you can bargain!

Hopes this helps!

liselotte b

the language

$Sun King$

It's very dusty.

Take some hermetically sealed personal hygiene wipes; a years worth.

Don't kiss a female in public.

It's quite common during their festivals for people to set off a whole bunch of firecrackers and have six year-old girls running through the streets on fire as a result. You see their clothes tend to be made of the finest flammable synthetics.
DO NOT BE ALARMED.

When someone yells cobra, they are not talking about seeing a fancy sports car.

Even though they are a conservative society and abhor public displays of affection it is customary for the gentlemen on the trains to pinch the bottoms of white females, as well as other parts of the anatomy.
DO NOT BE ALARMED.

Gemma S

uh huh

The Dragon Keeper

Here try these . . . .

http://www.tourindia.com/htm/homepage.htm

www.incredibleindia.org/

www.indiainfoline.com/

Bloke Ala Sarcasm

Dont drive there.

There are no road laws.

mary jane

dont drink the water and be ready to ingest some cannibis its there religion down there

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