Language
India has 18 official languages and about 1,650 dialects. Hindi is the most widely spoken; English is the language of government. A few words of Hindi can be useful and will always be appreciated, although almost everyone speaks some English.
Currency And Tipping
The standard unit of currency is the rupee, which is divided into units of 100 paise (rarely used). Keep a good supply of notes and coins – no-one ever has change! Check all notes carefully. If badly torn, they become invalid but can be exchanged at a bank. The highest denomination of note is the 1,000R.
Baksheesh can be a tip, a donation to a beggar, a little bribe to smooth the path or something expected of you, as a rich foreigner, for no reason at all. It’s a word that will follow you wherever you go. – you’ll have to deal with would-be guides, drivers, salesmen and beggars. You can’t give to them all and should not give to some. Many are genuinely needy, but there are also organised begging rings and children are often exploited to extract money from sympathetic foreigners. Tipping, as opposed to baksheesh, is customary at more up-market hotels and restaurants, although many include a service charge. Tip hotel porters and the like about 10-20R.
Safety
Visitors should be aware that there are tensions between the Muslim and Hindu populations, and there is a risk of terrorism throughout India. They should remain particularly vigilant in public places, on public transport and at tourist sites. Crime is an issue at major tourist spots and visitors are advised to keep an eye on their valuables and, in particular, passports. Be aware of confidence tricks, often involving fake jewellery, and never accept food from strangers, particularly on trains, as travellers have been drugged and robbed.
Weather
The tourist season runs from mid-September to April, peaking from November to March when the nights are cool and the days are filled with mellow sunshine. December and January can be a little gloomy, while mid-summer (May, June and July) is hot with temperatures over 113F (45C); it’s a dry, uncomfortable heat sometimes accompanied by dusty desert winds. Most of the rain falls between July and September but they are not the tropical rains you'd experience in India's coastal cities.
Getting Around
Traffic in Delhi is made up of an unbelievable variety of road-users, from buses to bullock carts. There are plenty of buses, almost all of them uncomfortable and overcrowded. At the central bus station, the scene is usually chaotic, with no recognisable system of platforms or bays. Just keep asking everyone you meet if you are in the right place; sooner or later, you will be. There are plenty of metered yellow-and-black taxis but invariably the meters are out of date, not working or the drivers will simply refuse to use them. Negotiate a fare before you set out. Auto-rickshaws are the mainstay of urban transport, zipping through the traffic and giving passengers occasional heart failure. They’re generally faster than taxis on short trips and cost half the price. Negotiate a fare before you board and hold on tight. Six-seater rickshaws run fixed routes at fixed prices and are good value during rush hours. Cycle rickshaws are banned from New Delhi, but can be useful for travelling round the old part of town.
Since 2002, Delhi has had a metro (underground/subway) system. There are three colour-coded lines (red, yellow and blue). By all accounts, it seems to favour commuters rather than tourists, but is worth checking out.
Health
Malaria is endemic. Travellers should check with a good travel clinic or tropical diseases hospital several weeks before departure.
Etiquette
In India, it’s important to be aware of the status of the hand when greeting someone. The right hand is for greeting and eating, the left hand is for life's more unsavoury tasks. The Indian form of greeting is known as the namaste, where the palms of the hands are brought together (as if to pray) at chest height and a slight bow is given. This is good etiquette when meeting women, as physical contact is not expected, but when meeting men, shaking hands is the preferred form of greeting. To modern Western ears, salutations can seem to belong to a more sedate and civil age - and indeed they do. 'May I help you, good lady?' or 'Thank you, kind sir!' are commonly heard terms of address from people of all ages. Modern English can seem crude and be taken as offensive. Swearing and shouting are certainly considered unnecessary and likely to shock. Conservative dress that is cool for the hot summer temperatures and also modest, is preferred in India. Skimpy or revealing clothes, whether worn by men or women, are considered offensive. This is especially so in places of worship. Here, the head should also be covered and shoes removed (the shoeminder at the door will expect a small tip). Leather items such as belts or bags should not be brought into a religious site. Outward shows of affection between couples should be avoided.
