[Seventies'Neil]

After arriving in a new place negotiate a deal with a local tuk tuk driver to give you a tour round all the must see places. He'll happily wait whilst you look round somewhere or stop if you see a photo opportunity along the way

[cyberhippie]

If your on limited time go to a postcard seller and buy postcards of all the local stuff you want to see. Hand it to the rickshaw/taxi driver get a price and off you go!!

Did this in Calcutta years ago and it worked a treat I would never have seen that Beautiful Jain Temple otherwise!!

When you arrive in India and your planning to train it around, buy The Trains At A Glance, probably the best 50 rupees you'll spend on your entire trip!!

Then use the next week to learn how to use the blasted thing    

[digital drifter]

Toilets, use them at EVERY chance , especially women!

Pre toilet checks

Before using one, check whether the flush works(my office one spouts like fecking geyser!), there's water to clean up.  This is a mandatory check,even in a 5 star hotel.  

Remember what your parents told you before you went on a long car trip?  Well, apply it again to yourself as toilets are pretty abysmal for most parts.

[Casey]

Don't be so concerned people are going to rip you off!  There are great rickshaw, taxi, and guesthouse operators out there!  I have met so many people whose prime concern is arguing over a few rupees and talking about the outrage for hours and it blinds them to everything else.

Edited by Casey, 26 May 2006 - 03:41 PM.

[beach]

- List out the hotels recomended in Lonely Planet(or any other guide book).
-Go there & find it out (I mean do not enter)
-Walk in to the nearest 'decent looking' hotel.
-In all probability, you'll get a better rate

[iwanttogoback]

learn to talk about cricket

[tstan]

Before I arrive in a country, I photocopy the latest available maps of the towns I will be visiting, so that when I clamber off the bus or train, rather than wrestling with all my luggage and a large guide book, I have all the important details in my shirt pocket.

[Poiple Shadow]

Quote

learn to talk about cricket

1. Learn to like Cricket!  

2. Don't think in £'s or $'s or you'll get stung!

3. If they quote prices in £'s or $'s then you're bound to get stung! - They normally don't even know the exchange rate, just know they're ripping you off!

4. Try not to buy too much for the first week as you'll get stung!

5.  Don't be too adventurous on your first few meals, your stomach needs time to adjust, many stomach problems are just the effect of completely different food rather than anything being bad with the food.  Even if you have the same named thing in your country doesn't mean it will be made the same.

6. Chill and go with the flow....

[Judi]

Be gentle on yourself.  This is your trip, your life.  

If you want to chill out in a Western style café with a good book all afternoon rather than looking round one more temple/must-see sight etc. then do so.  No-body will be handing out prizes for how many 'sights' you have seen, how many meals you have eaten that you don't really like.  It's not shameful to revert to your own comfort zone when life gets a bit much - you'll be much better equipped for further adventures if you are well and settled in mind and in body.  

P.S  And pack a smile .... it will open a thousand doors.

[dzibead]

Drink fresh lime sodas at every opportunity (without ice!)

[Casey]

Excellent answer Judi.  Do what you want to do and travel how you want to travel without buying into the whole "real India" thing.  Travel by whatever class or vehicle you wish! And as said before, smile smile smile.

[maharaj]

46.  I am sorry but I have my Indian friends book taxi's or tickets while I hide behind the tree.

47.  With the savings, leave great tips.  

Maha

[Strawberry_Blonde]

- When people ask you "Which county Madam / Sir?" Say "India" with a big smile on your face. You will get a very confused look at first then a huge smile when its realised its a joke and then you can let them know your 'native' and its's a great conversation starter too!

- Go to a bank if possible and get RS1000 changed in to RS10/20 notes!

- If you smoke, always look for the date and price on the bottom of a packet of cigarettes so you can be sure they are not fake!

[john.sw]

dzibead, on May 26 2006, 04:47 PM, said:

Drink fresh lime sodas at every opportunity (without ice!)

Fresh Lime Soda with salt helps to replace the body salts lost through perspiration!

[Jezzz]

Rote learn the entire scoreboard of every cricket match ever played by every cricket playing country in the world.  No wait, forget that, every Indian man and many of the women will recite it to you in the first conversation anyway, especially if you are Australian.

[sego]

Don't use the toilet on train when it halts at any Station.  Try to relax a bit and absorb the scenes around you. And please do not rush through India, most folks think this is good conversation piece at home but you are just B.S your friends. Visit one area at a time and travel slow.

[ladyjane]

If you find a place that really suits your fancy, stay there for longer than you planned, even at the "expense" of some other part of your planned itinerary.  These special places can lead to amazing experiences and insights, and if you stay for any length of time, you will meet more local people, and make some friends for life.  Then you will always have someplace to go "back" to on your next trip to India.
Flow with things as they come, go to places you didn't plan to if they "call" to you...and just enjoy.  
Jane

[Ray kelleher]

What ever you do dont leave your sense of humour at home, even when things are not going as to planned dont get angry, just smile.. The locals love nothing more than a pale skin jumping up and down ranting and raveing, great entertaiment not only for the locals but I quite enjoy watching too.. unless its something more serious than getting ripped off for a 100rps or so, then a donation to the local law enforcment can do the trick...

[jyotirmoy]

Strawberry_Blonde, on May 27 2006, 04:03 AM, said:

- When people ask you "Which county Madam / Sir?" Say "India" with a big smile on your face. You will get a very confused look at first then a huge smile when its realised its a joke and then you can let them know your 'native' and its's a great conversation starter too!

- Go to a bank if possible and get RS1000 changed in to RS10/20 notes!

- If you smoke, always look for the date and price on the bottom of a packet of cigarettes so you can be sure they are not fake!

Fake cigarettes????? Which brand & where????

[YETI]

Judi's post above is great advice - I'd take it one step further, too.

If you're in a town and hating every minute of it: leave. If Agra's done your head in, go and chill out on a Goan beach for a few weeks. If Calcutta's freaking you out, head up to Darjeeling for a bit. Too many people worry about blowing their 'traveller cred' and all that nonsense - just ignore it all and enjoy yourself.

A more practical one: always have some Immodium and ORS (Rehydration Salts) in your bag. Sod's law dictates that if you EVER run out, that's when you're gonna need 'em the most!