Some questions about India...
I've recently been asked some general questions about travel in India, and I figured these responses might be helpful to others, so I am posting them here. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask!
I'm going to India in May, and I have a few questions about clothing. I have done some reading, and most sources seem to recommend women wearing the traditional Salwar Kameez while traveling. Is it appropriate for this trip? If not, what is appropriate for formal and informal occasions?
I wore American street clothes for day-to-day events. It's really common to see people on regular pants and jeans, sandals, etc. The Salwar Kameez is great for a more formal occasion, like a nice dinner. You can get one fairly cheap in India, or if you'd like one before you go, you can order on in advance from: www.fabindia.com - they have a large selection.
What I WILL recommend about American street clothes is 1) do not wear shorts or short skirts; 2) skirts are ok as long as they are long and cover all of your legs; 3) no low-cut tops...they will draw unwanted attention to you; 4) try not to wear form-fitting clothing; and 5) try not to dress casually - clothes in India are a statement of class, and if you are dressed too casually it is assumed you are too poor to dress any better.
You can dress as you like, but dressing like you would here may draw attention to yourself you don't want. So I'd suggest following those few rules. A good book you can also check out is Culture Smart: India - there's tons of suggestions in there, and it's a small book that's easy to carry with you.
I'm not a sunshine friendly person. I burn really easy. Did you wear long sleeves? Is short sleeves okay with lots of sunblock? I've gotten mixed reviews on this.
Short sleeves are ok. You will draw a little more attention to yourself, since any exposed skin - especially white skin - draws attention, but not in an offensive way.
How much money should we plan to take for food and general items; souvenirs aside?
I was in India for 2.5 weeks. At the airport, I changed $300 US and that lasted for food, souvenirs, tips, etc. almost until the end of the trip. Then I changed another $100 at the end to do more shopping.
When you change money, you're going to get all large bills...100, 500 Rupees, etc. Use them when you buy food and keep any small change you get. You're going to need it for tips - and you're pretty much expected to tip EVERYONE.
What were the average tip percentages?
You will be expected to tip everyone: the man who takes your shoes outside a temple, the man who hands you toilet paper when you go in the bathroom, the men who carry your bags, if someone gives you directions, rickshaw drivers, etc. For them, 10-20 Rupees are acceptable (and is only the equivalent to about 50 cents US).
For waiters, 10% is a good tip. A good lunch at a moderate place will usually cost in the ballpark of about 500 Rupees, so a 50 Rr note (just a little over a dollar) will suffice. Small change is hard to come by, so hold on to whatever you can get.
If you're going to get in a Rickshaw, be sure you have someone at the hotel write down the name, address and phone number of the hotel in Hindi before you get in. There are lots of hotels with similar names, and your driver may not know where to take you back to....and sometimes they get commissions from other hotels to bring tourists to the wrong places. Also be sure to agree on a price for the ride BEFORE you get in!
Also remember that no price is the final price! Anything you buy in any shop, street vendor, market, etc. - don't pay the asking price. Haggling is expected and fun.
And remember that Indian currency isn't supposed to be taken into or out of the country, so you can't change any money before you go, and technically, you're not supposed to bring any back with you (although people do).
I'm going to India in May, and I have a few questions about clothing. I have done some reading, and most sources seem to recommend women wearing the traditional Salwar Kameez while traveling. Is it appropriate for this trip? If not, what is appropriate for formal and informal occasions?
I wore American street clothes for day-to-day events. It's really common to see people on regular pants and jeans, sandals, etc. The Salwar Kameez is great for a more formal occasion, like a nice dinner. You can get one fairly cheap in India, or if you'd like one before you go, you can order on in advance from: www.fabindia.com - they have a large selection.
What I WILL recommend about American street clothes is 1) do not wear shorts or short skirts; 2) skirts are ok as long as they are long and cover all of your legs; 3) no low-cut tops...they will draw unwanted attention to you; 4) try not to wear form-fitting clothing; and 5) try not to dress casually - clothes in India are a statement of class, and if you are dressed too casually it is assumed you are too poor to dress any better.
You can dress as you like, but dressing like you would here may draw attention to yourself you don't want. So I'd suggest following those few rules. A good book you can also check out is Culture Smart: India - there's tons of suggestions in there, and it's a small book that's easy to carry with you.
I'm not a sunshine friendly person. I burn really easy. Did you wear long sleeves? Is short sleeves okay with lots of sunblock? I've gotten mixed reviews on this.
Short sleeves are ok. You will draw a little more attention to yourself, since any exposed skin - especially white skin - draws attention, but not in an offensive way.
How much money should we plan to take for food and general items; souvenirs aside?
I was in India for 2.5 weeks. At the airport, I changed $300 US and that lasted for food, souvenirs, tips, etc. almost until the end of the trip. Then I changed another $100 at the end to do more shopping.
When you change money, you're going to get all large bills...100, 500 Rupees, etc. Use them when you buy food and keep any small change you get. You're going to need it for tips - and you're pretty much expected to tip EVERYONE.
What were the average tip percentages?
You will be expected to tip everyone: the man who takes your shoes outside a temple, the man who hands you toilet paper when you go in the bathroom, the men who carry your bags, if someone gives you directions, rickshaw drivers, etc. For them, 10-20 Rupees are acceptable (and is only the equivalent to about 50 cents US).
For waiters, 10% is a good tip. A good lunch at a moderate place will usually cost in the ballpark of about 500 Rupees, so a 50 Rr note (just a little over a dollar) will suffice. Small change is hard to come by, so hold on to whatever you can get.
If you're going to get in a Rickshaw, be sure you have someone at the hotel write down the name, address and phone number of the hotel in Hindi before you get in. There are lots of hotels with similar names, and your driver may not know where to take you back to....and sometimes they get commissions from other hotels to bring tourists to the wrong places. Also be sure to agree on a price for the ride BEFORE you get in!
Also remember that no price is the final price! Anything you buy in any shop, street vendor, market, etc. - don't pay the asking price. Haggling is expected and fun.
And remember that Indian currency isn't supposed to be taken into or out of the country, so you can't change any money before you go, and technically, you're not supposed to bring any back with you (although people do).