India is probably one of the most modern and fast-growing countries that you can ever visit in India. Despite its acceptance of Western influences and contemporary beliefs, the traditional culture of the Indian community remains intact for the most part. If you’re a female who is traveling to India on your own or even with a group, there are certain reminders that you might want to keep in mind. Women hold a position of respect in Indian society but it won’t hurt to apply these tips to make sure your trip goes as safely as possible.

Like many traditional countries in India, local society retains a conservative view when it comes to how women should dress. To avoid unwanted stares and attention, avoid wearing clothes that are too provocative—such as flimsy blouses, short shorts or miniskirts. Even though the heat can be unbearable and you might want to wear cool clothes, stick to modest tank tops, shorts or knee-length skirts.

If you are traveling with your girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse, avoid showing your affection to each other in public. Too much display of affection in public places will not only offend Indian sensibility buy may also make you the target of rude remarks, something that you probably don’t want in your vacation.

If you are planning to go to India then you might want to consider hiring a tourist guide. Even though some travelers might see tourist guides as an unnecessary expense, a local guide can really help make your trip better. If you don’t know how to hire one then you might want to consult your hotel or travel agent. Accommodations and travel agencies are usually affiliated with tourist guides. Another advantage of hiring a tourist guide is that they can often get you access to certain places where tourists are not allowed otherwise. Worried about the language barrier? Don’t worry—most tourist guides are very fluent in English and some can even speak in other languages like French and German. Read on for some useful reminders when hiring a tourist guide.

Don’t just hire the first tourist guide who approaches you at the airport. To make sure that you are working with a certified guide, ask the hotel or your travel agency to make arrangements for you. When traveling with your guide, avoid displaying large amounts of money in front of him. Your guide may seem nice and trustworthy but the sight of a lot of money can easily change that in a flash.

When it comes to dealing with your tourist guide, it’s also important to be polite. However, don’t be so polite that your guide starts taking advantage of you. It’s also important to be firm in some cases.

To avoid overspending, agree on an amount for the day before the tour even begins. You can always leave a tip if you’ve had a particularly good service.

Tipping is often a complex transaction wherever you go—how much should you tip, should you even be tipping or not, what if your bill already has a service charge, etc. These are some of the things that you might find yourself thinking about after eating a meal at a restaurant. If you are going to India then things will not differ when it comes to tipping. Just like in most places, tipping rules vary on a case-to-case basis.

However, the general rule would be to tip if you had an exceptionally good experience. Otherwise, you can just pay the bill. There are also some people who like to hand a few bills to their waiter even before the meal so they can be sure that they get some good service.

Tipping is often done when you eat in restaurants. The “10% of the bill” rule is often a good advice to follow but you don’t need to apply it each time. If you’re dining in a restaurant with a big name then it’s usually good to leave a 10% tip. However, if it’s a smaller restaurant then some change would be enough. If your service is not particularly good then you don’t need to tip at all.

You might also give tips to hotel providers such as the bellman, room service employees and such. 20 to 50 Rupees is often enough. Although you don’t need to tip cab drivers and other transportation workers, you may also do so if you feel the service is exceptional.

One of the best ways to get to know a country’s culture is to get to know its food. If you are planning to visit India, make a resolution not just to order room service or eat in five-star restaurants. If you really want to get to know Indian cuisine, you should learn to go out into the streets and learn how real Indians dine. Here are several popular snacks that locals love to munch on. Not only do you get to sample tasty Indian food but you also get to save a lot.

If exploring the hot streets of India has made you tired and hungry then the Pay Bhaji is a roadside snack that will certainly fill you up. These snacks are made by topping buns of bread with cubes of butter. They are then served with a variety of cooked vegetables. You can also add a bit of radish, onions and lime juice depending on your taste. This snack is so filling that you will probably skip your next meal.

If you are staying in the southern part of India then you will certainly come across the street food Vada Pay. In fact, this street food is a popular breakfast among many of the region’s locals. It is made by deep frying mashed potatoes. This cooked potato, called vada, is then wrapped in bread. It is best served with some Indian sauces and a hot drink.

Food is certainly one of the things that a foreigner needs to indulge in if he wants to know a country’s culture better. If you are planning a trip to India then you will certainly have a lot on your plate—quite literally. Even though it’s a good and safe idea to have your meals in the hotel or in big restaurants, you won’t get the full taste of Indian culture without perusing the famed roadside food stalls that have been featured in many international food shows. Here are some of the Indian treats that you should be sure not to miss.

Chaat is a very popular snack that you will surely find around the streets of North India. They are basically small and salted pancakes cooked to a crisp. Next, they are laden with Indian sauces, sprinkled with masala powder and topped with a bit of yogurt. They also taste best with a bit of dressing on the side, which is made from pomegranate seeds and ginger. You can also purchase chaat with slices of fruits.

Another popular snack around India is called Bhel Puri. Depending on the region of the country where you are visiting, you may find that the preparation of this snack varies from other parts. However, the ingredients pretty much remain the same—cooked rice, boiled potatoes, sliced tomatoes and onions plus coriander and green chilies for a richer flavor. Bhel Puri also features “sev”, noodle-like strips of flour which are a snack on their own. Because of their many ingredients and high amount of carbs, this snack can be considered as meal and can really give you the energy you need for a busy day in India.

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When it comes to traveling to another country, one of the aspects that you need to get used to is the traffic rules. If you are planning to visit India but do not know what to expect, then it’s best to prepare yourself for heavy traffic jams thanks to the urban region’s increasing demands for vehicles. If you are planning to rent a car so you can travel around the region then it’s best to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules in India to make sure that you drive safely and to make sure that you are conforming to the local rules.
The first thing you need to know is that India uses the left hand side when driving. If you are used to a country that follows right hand side driving and you feel like you won’t be able to adapt to this traffic custom then you might opt to use public transportation instead.
If you are stuck in a traffic jam and the car keeps on honking behind you, don’t think that the driver is trying to get on your nerves. Honking is a common practice in the streets of India, even when the light is red.
In the unfortunate situation where you become involved in a vehicular accident, be sure to call the police so you can file a report. However, if anyone is injured, it’s best to send for the ambulance right away. If you are not sure what to do, ask locals for assistance.
If you would rather avoid the stress and trouble of familiarizing yourself with new traffic rules, it’s advisable to simply hire an Indian driver who will know the rules and will be familiar around the city.

Modern world is full of discovery. Man has ventured a lot in terms of land and sea, its the time to explore the Milky Way. Gone are the days when we used to count the countless stars at night and see the sun with the x-ray plate. Days are in, to bring home a few stars and bright sunlight. A virtual space travel in India is the latest development. Now the non-scientist [Read more →]

Just like in many Asian countries that are suffering from poverty, India’s streets are often flocked with beggars. If you are a tourist coming from the West, you may find yourself surrounded with a dozen adults and children begging for money. If you are not used to dealing with beggars then this can be an intimidating experience. So what are the right things that you should do when you are stopped by beggars on the street?
When it comes to beggars, it’s a general tip that instead of giving money, give food instead. When traveling through the streets of India, stock your pocket or bags with handy eatables like crackers, bread of candy. Food is particularly more useful for handicapped beggars, old beggars and female beggars who are carrying their babies with them. However, watch out for some beggars who use fake crutches or other beggars’ babies to illicit more sympathy.
The best time to hand out alms to beggars is when you are about to get off the streets—before entering a vehicle or getting inside a building. If you hand out food or money just as you’re getting out of the car, you will be swarmed by other beggars.
One of the most painful scenes that you will see in India is probably the sight of very young children on the streets. For these kids, it’s better to give them sweets and other treats that they can enjoy. If you want to do more for beggars than simply hand them alms, you can also make donations to charities.

If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts lately you’ll know I’ve come to adding a few news posts from around the web on this subject. I’ve got a couple more today that are new and updated, so let me know what you think of em…

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