Advice: Miscellaneous

Accent

Indian accent is quite strong. Watch Bollywood movies where the characters speak in English to get used to it.

Bathroom

I would recommend you to use Indian toilets and not western ones. This is especially true in typical villages, temples, trains… The reason is quite simple. Most Indians use water to clean themselves. Indians toilets are adapted to such method. Western ones are not and it is common to find them completely wet and un-flushed.

For those of you who are reluctant to use water make sure to always carry paper toilet or tissues. You will find difficult to buy some in rural areas.

Besides the floor toilet and the seat toilet, one can also find an alternative form of toilets in India.

Bureaucraty

If you need something from any administrative department, keep asking until you get it. Be persuasive and patient. India is really bureaucratic. A bit of corruption can speed up the process.

Cars

You can drive in India if you have a local license or an International Driving Permit. Remember that in India driving is on the left of the road.

Cockroaches

If you can’t handle their (lively) presence, buy an anti-cockroaches chalk. Draw lines around your bed, in front of the door, in the kitchen… The cockroach will instantly die after crossing the line. Note that poisonous food for rat can also be found in many shops.

Electricity

Electricity runs at 220V and 50Hz. Standard electric sockets are the rounded 3 pin ones.

Festivals

Do not miss the numerous Indian festivals. The major ones can be found here.

Laundry

Cold water and horizontally rotating machines are used to do the laundry. Don’t bring brand new clothes in India. They won’t survive the dirt and the washing.

Pictures

Some people ask for money when their pictures are taken. Be discrete or give them a few rupees.

Sun

The sun can be really strong in India. Make sure to use appropriate protective lotion.

Having a fair skin in India is considered as an attractive feature. Indians, especially the women, protect their skin from the sun by using umbrellas. India can sometimes seem a bit weird to foreigners. The reverse is also true… Embarrassed, one of my friends asked me: “No offense, but is it true that foreigners stay under the sun to get tanned?”