There's no denying that travelling to India can be a major culture
shock, especially on your first visit. It's a huge and bewildering
country, with many different religions and cultures, and cities that
roar with traffic and bustle with activity non-stop. So how to prepare
for this assault on the senses? We reckon that if you
want to get the most out of your trip it's best to:
Avoid burnout
By far the most common complaint reported by
first-time visitors to India is fatigue - simply trying to do too much
in too little time. India is vast, colourful and addictive, but have
realistic expectations about how much you can see. A wisely planned
visit to a particular area can deliver far more of the unique texture
and spirit of the place. And remember, India isn't going anywhere - you
can return time and time again.
Get out of the city
Though perhaps a cliché, the only way to get a true sense of India is to visit smaller villages. The real benefit is that it'll get you out of the sprawling and vastly overpopulated cities. Once you've cleared your head, say with a trip to the mountains or into the slower-moving land of Kerala in the south, you'll be far better placed to enjoy the famous hospitality of the Indian urbanites.
Watch what you eat and drink
A
dodgy stomach is pretty common for first-timers in India. That doesn't
mean you should rule out street food, but try to stick to peeled fresh
fruit and foods that have been either boiled or fried. Stay on the
bottled water and avoid salads or ice.
Don't be too precious about your personal space
This
isn't really a popular concept in India. You will be squished on public
transport and squashed in lifts. People will ask seemingly intrusive
personal questions that you may find intimidating. Remember that this is
a wholly different culture and the questions are merely indicative of
the locals' polite interest in you.
Dress conservatively
Be aware that India has a relatively modest culture. Covering arms and legs is a simple step toward respecting this. Indians are forgiving of those who aren't familiar with their culture, but you can quickly make a good impression by, for instance, removing your shoes before entering someone's home. This is particularly important when entering a sacred space, like a temple. Also, if you see shoes outside a shop, it's a sign to remove your own.
Watch those feet and hands
Feet are
considered to be unclean in India, so if you touch something with your
feet it's appropriate to swiftly apologize. Similarly, eating or passing
objects with your left hand is considered unpleasant for reasons best
left to the imagination. If unsure of local customs, keep an eye out for
what others do and imitate.
Remember that Indian time is relative
You
may well find yourself waiting half an hour in India when your friend
has assured you they will be five minutes. Traffic and other
interruptions can also mean that getting around can take a lot longer
than expected. Build in plenty of room for unexpected waits and make
sure to check opening hours - many government offices and shops close in
the afternoon for lunch.
Stay safe
While "don't go down
dark streets alone" might seem a bit obvious, there are plenty of
straightforward ways to avoid subtle dangers in India. Carrying huge
quantities of cash isn't a good idea anywhere, but in crowded Indian
cities pickpocketing is a very present problem. Equally, haggling at a
market can, at times, become an unpleasant, heated exchange.
Inexperienced visitors are advised to try to stay cool. Be pleasant but
firm, and don't allow yourself to be irritated.
Be prepared for noise
One
way of ensuring you can have a bit of personal space, albeit in your
head, is to have earphones with you to shut out some of the surrounding
din - there's nothing like the sheer clamour of an Indian city.
Avoid deals that seem too good to be true
Government
shops are probably the easiest way to avoid running foul of scams, but
simple rules like paying for things with cash, to avoid card cloning
scams, may save you a lot of unnecessary trouble later in your journey.
You should also pay particular attention if you're arranging to have
things sent home by post, as it's not unknown for shops to take your
payment and send worthless items instead.
