INDIA AS A FOREIGN DESTINATION
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Drinking Water and Dehydration Arriving into one of India's major cities is an exciting and vibrant entrance to the country, and one that can be quite daunting. The diversity of cultures and lifestyles that intermingle on every street can appear chaotic. So, it is worth knowing where you are going to stay, or at least which area to head for.
Transfers arranged on organised trips should be simple and straightforward. Independent travellers may find it useful to use guide books and the internet to pre-determine a base. Any visitor to India will find that guide books are an excellent resource to become orientated and comfortable with any new place. The most popular include:
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Footprint Handbooks |
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These are regularly updated providing maps, localised information and well-researched listings of accommodation and food places, to suit all tastes. | |
| Within all major cities, there are places of great historical importance and religious interest, colourful bazaars and shopping areas, images, sounds and smells which vary in extremes and characterise the unique charm of India. Pavement hawkers offer an array of services from hair cutting and shoe mending to ear cleaning (not recommended!) and tailoring - a favourite item of clothing can be recreated very quickly. Streets become congested with cycle rickshaws, mopeds, cows and wandering dogs, over spilling goods from shops and people moving in every direction. Allow yourself plenty of time to get between places, and be patient! There is no shortage of places to get a drink or bite to eat when you need to stop. Public toilets are a rare concept in India! However, you will find them in smarter and more tourist orientated restaurants, and almost always when you travel. Standards vary dramatically, and many are squat loos with a jug and water. You may want to carry loo paper with you. Since many toilets are not designed for heavy loads, please ensure you flush paper fully, to avoid blockages. Larger hotels will provide clean, fully operational Western style toilets. Drinking Water and Dehydration It's easy to get dehydrated quickly in a hot country and often causes many symptoms, from headaches and dizziness to vomiting and diarrhoea - so always keep drinking water. Carry plenty of re-hydration salts - these are often the most effective cure. Only drink water that has been boiled or filtered, or buy bottled 'treated' water (not mineral) which is widely available. However we highly recommend that you carry your own water filter. This will avoid contributing to the huge level of plastic waste that sits on the edges of towns and cities. Personal filtration systems such as Katadyn and Aqua Pure Traveller are small, light bottles that filter water instantly. They guard against diseases including E Coli and Giardia. The easy usage and cost effectiveness makes them an essential item to any responsible traveller. On the whole, Indian people are very accepting and enjoy sharing a joke. Most are very helpful and you shouldn't have difficulty finding someone who understands English. (This will be harder in less touristic and poorer areas.) Hindi is the most common language, though the use of regional dialects is widespread. You will find that learning a few basic words is appreciated and make your interactions more rewarding. Here are some examples:
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| Namaste (literally "I greet the God within you") |
- | A Hindu greeting of
hello or goodbye - accompanied with your palms facing, as if in prayer |
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| Namaskar | - | A more respectful term for the above | |
| Salaam | - | A Muslim greeting | |
| Dhanyavaad / Shukriya | - | Thankyou - Hindu / Muslim | |
| Bahut Achcha | - | Very Good | |
| Ha | - | Yes | |
| Nahee | - | No | |
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Also, it is friendly to call men 'Bhai' and women 'Didi' during interactions, or to get attention. These literally translate to brother and sister respectively. To show respect and sensitivity, and to minimise attracting your own attention, we advise you to minimise attracting attention, i.e. women should avoid low-cut tops and shorts/ skirts high above the knee, and men should not wander topless. While visiting temples, keep your shoulders covered and remove all footwear. In some cases you may be required to cover your head. India is notorious for its beggars. It is a serious issue in developing nations, but one that need not make you feel uncomfortable when visiting. Often people do not know what they should do, and of course there is no right or wrong answer. Begging is a negative interaction created from goodwill. The outcome of giving money is a short-term satisfaction, either for the person begging or the frustrated target. Foreign tourists are the main target, but try not to give into frustration. Judge each situation individually and act upon your feelings at the time. Talking back often breaks down barriers or you may wish to carry fruits or biscuits to share. Avoid giving into children as there are many schemes that are encouraging street kids into education. If you would really like to help begging and poverty in India, there are many programmes that welcome donations and other forms of help. We are partcularly interested in the work behind www.akanksha.org Since agriculture is of integral importance to the Indian people, cows are given a holy status. Therefore beef will not be found on menus. Likewise, pork will not be consumed by Muslims. Mutton (goat), chicken and fish are the most commonly available meats. Vegetarian food is widely available in a great variety of preparations. Many restaurants serve purely veg food. 'Delhi Belly' is common, not always serious, and can be avoided if you take careful precautions. Restaurants that appear clean may not be in the kitchen, and so dining out is best done on recommendation. Avoid salads and fruits without skins, ice and ice creams. Water is the main carrier of bacteria and disease, so always drink bottled or filtered water. If you become ill, drink water and take re-hydration salts. Bugs often need to be flushed out, and the salts lost through diarrhoea and sweat need to be replenished. Unless you are travelling, try to avoid diarrhoea relief tablets. These do not cure illness. It is healthier to dispel bugs naturally - rest, stay cool and drink water. Seek medical assistance for severe symptoms. Buying goods in India is mainly based on bargaining, though some shops and products now have fixed prices. Compared to the West, goods are cheap, but it can be difficult to judge what is the right price. Most foreigners will pay more than the local price, and the main importance is that you are happy with the cost of your purchase. As a guideline, cut offers by about 50%. Once you have agreed a rate, stick to it - it is considered rude to walk away. Tipping or paying a 'baksheesh' is expected in almost all circumstances where you have been provided a service, and many people rely on tips as their source of income. The amount to give varies widely depending on the type of service, and the standard in which it is being given. It is important to give an appropriate tip based on individual service, but it can be difficult gauging what this should be. As a guideline:
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| Taxis, Hotels, Restaurants | - | 10% of
the overall bill Hotel Porter Rs10-100 depending on standard of hotel |
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Train Porter |
- | Use the
guidelines provided at the station (Approximately Rs10 per item plus waiting charge) |
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Tourist Guide |
- | Rs 50-300 depending on length and quality of service | |
| Specialist Guide | - | Rs 500-1000 | |
| Always keep some coins and small note denominations at hand.
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