India, what should I know?

india's amazing. but it get's very hot and there's lots of mosquitos so don't forget the spray. On the streets a lot of people try to seel you things spesh if you are a foreigner so don't listen to them if they up the price of stuff

Indians hate other indians lol. If you're indian you'll no how true this is! Anyway all of it is nice but i suggest going to the north because 1. People are nicer 2. More picturesque (especially around chandigarh) 3. Foods more safe 4. Its sort of like italy if you go to the right parts

How well traveled are you? As India is quite a culture shock. Travel books paint an unrealistic picture of India, I live here & the grottier side of the life here is .... 1. It smells BAD, India has its own distinct smell, A combination of spices, BO & ****. 2. A billion people = immense poverty, pesky beggars etc 3. Lack of toilets, Driving from the airport to hotel you'll see dozens of people pissing & shitting on the streets & you'll continue to see that everyday till you leave 4. It's not a matter of IF you will get Delhi Belly but WHEN you will get it. so prepare yourself for that also Delhi to Agra is a long arduous 8 hour round trip, Sure the Taj looks great but compared to the other wonders of the world it's a bit underwhelming.

I have been India, being and indian and i would say that -make sure you take insect reppelant, you can get so many bites, especially in June/July. - When you go shopping, negotiate, dont just say yes at the first price, keep lowering your price and if they say no, just say that you can get it cheaper in another shop and they will agree to your price. lol - When you go to eat, go into good touristy restraunts rather than cheap looking ones because it is a lot safer and cleaner. - Make sure you have had your jabs as there are lots of diseases. - Drink ONLY bottled water. - Choose good hotels for better comfort. - Stay in tourist areas, dont go wandering into dodgy areas becasue it can be dangerous, - And most of all enjoy your self!

Well life in India kind of differs from places to places. If you are going to big cities like Bombay, Delhi, or something like that than it will be quite similar to life in United States. Meaning Malls, Technology, and other stuff. But life in India is different in smaller cities, and especially different in Villages. If you want to experience the REAL INDIA than I would recommend going to small cities/towns, or even villages if possible. The real India is found there. Big cities are not very "INDIAN" now days. They are very modern. Some of the common differences between you would find in India compared to like USA are the Electric Outlets, the Voltage (In India it's 240, and in USA it's 120). In India it's much hotter, but in Winter it does get very cold in some places. As low as the temp. in USA. It rains a lot in India in Monsoon season (Usually from end of June to end of September or even longer). In India you have to learn to bargain when you go shopping, and make sure that you are not being ripped off. In India English is spoken very widely, but try to learn some of the common words in Hindi, and in the regional language (in different than Hindi). Remember to get your shots from your doctor before you go. I had to get mine when I went to India, even though I'm Indian my self. Try to be a fast walker. And watch out for the traffic, in India every driver has their own rules. So just be careful when crossing the streets or something. Oh, be ready to eat SPICY FOOD, if you plan on eating traditional Indian food!!!!! Well that's all I can say for now. But if you need more information, you should watch videos about India. They might be a good help. Hope you enjoy your trip. Have fun! India is a great place!!!

best time to go india is december ,january ,febraury otherwise u will be roasted like a toast. if u are a white person u better go with other friends or find a good indian fellow as a guide. there are lot of people in need so they may not hesitate to harm u for money, and there are beautiful girls. and lots of fruits and things for cheap. i will going there in july 2009

India is fantastic...we've been 5 times & going back to Goa in 4 weeks time...it is the most beautiful place we have ever been....and very cheap too. BUT...this is important. my husband was left with a bruised & bloodied eardrum due to a scam. somebody will approach you...if you are a male tourist...& they will touch your ear saying you have shaving foam on it. if you don't stop them immediately when they approach you....they will put a worm into your ear & ask for money to retrieve the bloody thing!! i totally promise you this is true...my husband was VERY upset as he believed he really did have shaving foam on his ear.....the man approached him from behind so he didn't even see it coming. he had to have medical attention in India & also back in the UK....so please be aware of this type of scam. apart from that....we feel safer in India than we ever do in the UK...people are lovely & food is good....and SO sorry my answer is so long...but you did ask...lol!!

you'll have a good time! And it is full of art, culture, wonderful music, great food tons of history! Welcome to the next world Super Power!!!!! and what do u no...Im Italian and Indian too!!!!!

I shared this answer for another asker previously... however... it's from my heart... hope this helps... From my experience in the south... if you hit your foot on someone by accident (especially in more orthodox areas such as a village) make sure you say sorry... it's disrespectful. In most homes take your shoes off at the door. Greet the opposite sex with folded hands, especially if you are a male... unless a hand is first extended to you... (again... i worked a lot in the village... so if you are in a more metro environment... these things are commonly more laxed... especially the younger the people) Use your right hand when exchanging money, handing someone something and eating... Dress modestly especially if you are female... this is respectful... salwars are also a great and comfortable option... Take a heavy poncho (great ones at military surplus stores) for monsoon season... especially if you plan on riding a scooter/motor bike... If someone shows up at your home... serve them coffee/chai and biscuits... always make time for guests... even unexpected ones... this is very important... Eat what is offered to you in someone's home... even if you are scared of it... Wash your fruits/veggies in a cap of bleach and a tub of water for 20 minutes... then rinse with water until you adjust to the environment... Do not eat off the streets until you adjust to the environment... Drink bottled water until you adjust, as well... Take hand sanitizer and insect repellent... buy mosquito coils there... Savor every moment... choose to see things to love... ways to help... overlook the negative (each nation has plenty)... open your heart... mind... stomach... and enjoy the most beautiful and challenging time of your life... don't be ethnocentric... the American way is not always the best or right way (and I'm American btw)... learn... enjoy... and most importantly... spend time with the people... make more Indian friends than western friends... you will be glad you did... I shared this on another question... India is extraordinary = beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular or established Uncommon = unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary Rare = unusually excellent; admirable; fine Amazing = causing great surprise or sudden wonder Exceptional = unusually excellent; superior Remarkable = notably or conspicuously unusual; extraordinary Unusual = not usual, common, or ordinary Landing in India... there is that smell that rushes back every memory of every moment spent in this unfathomable land. In one moment, a bit of fear; oh gosh... what have I gotten myself back into... in the same moment... I am so happy to be home (away from home, of course). Communication... barriers... taxi, how much to Kasturinagar? What? It is daytime... you can not charge double meter... where's the police? I am not a ferengi (foreigner)... I live here! Ohhhkay... Ohhhhkay madame.... meter... meter... Roadways... congestion, pot holes, horns, yelling, ox-carts, oxen, cows, street dogs, goats, produce carts, bicycles, goods carriers, busses, auto rickshaws, cars, vans, scooters, motorcycles, pedestrians, beggars, sellers (flowers, food, etc.)... windows down, or open air travel... warm wind on your face... sun shining... Windows with misquito mesh... open 24/7... fans on... warmth... breeeze... clanking of steel vessels all around... sellers shouting from the street below... voices from homes... horns honking... vehicles travelling... people shouting... One moment from a nervous break-down... one moment from the reason you love being here... crazy... beautiful... wonderful... Life... always life... so much of it... all of the time... Then there's the village... my favorite...