Do's and Don'ts not mentioned in the guidebooks!

Pembrokeshiregal

There are lots of health hints and tips for travellers to India, such as don't drink the water, don't eat it if you can't peel it etc.

But we are coming to live in india for a couple of years and I'm sure there are lots more things that we need to be aware of, particularly as we will be cooking for ourselves most of the time. So if anyone has any hints or tips that are not usually mentioned in guide books then please share them here.

(Examples are whether or not pasteurised milk is safe to drink - until I read the other post here I would never even have thought about it!)

Also, please post details of any other sources of info on this subject.

Thanks,
Ruth

edwardseco

Numero uno: Never refuse food or drink that is offered to you in a friendly or home context. The health risks are nothing compared to the rewards in crossing cultural barriers.
Numero dos: Don't sweat health issues, the happy people are the ones who don't fall ill due to higher resistance.
Numero tres: In summer drink water, even unboiled water, to excess. Not dehydrating increases resistance.
Most of all, enjoy furiously the experience..

samit

I would disagree with that. Of late, its become almost the *numero uno* trick, espeiclaly in trains, to offer laced food / drinks to fellow passengers to knock them out and then steal their belongings. a quick glance at newspapers would reinforce my point. even though the probability of food offered being genuine may be 100:1, due caution should be exercised. at homes etc, its perfectly safe, but in public transport like trains, its best to be avoided.

samit


edit note fixed quote tags, rab

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bijapuri

leave the LP behind

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edwardseco

Samit, that isn't what I wrote. I didn't say take food from strangers. My friends are people I know or people I visit in their homes. Traveller's paranoia runs deep enough as it is and we shouldn't encourage it..

Aparajith

It is better to be safe than sorry. Esp if you are drugged and lose things in a foreign land.

I understand that you said "friends" so Just I would like to stress that having food (accepting the invite for food) at home is fine. But not good in trains or bus.

katyrafi

I've been here over a year and my philosophy has been simple - when I'm hungry I eat.

I have drunk the well water, eaten ice cream, taken food from strangers on trains and survived, been cooked for and now cook for myself every day and I have not suffered any serious consequences (fingers crossed, in sh'Allah) apart from the very occasional bout of loose stools which I would put down too much bad rum rather than bad food (hence I don't drink liquor anymore).

Follow normal hygiene in the kitchen - wash your veg, peel what can be peeled, boil the milk for your coffee but above all I have three pieces of advice:

1. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly

2. Don't stress! Stress is the biggest cause of stomach problems

3. Enjoy some of the best food in the world

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navinkurian2002

Tap waters ok to brush your teeth! (Had some german pals over and they wanted boiled water to brush their teeth).remember boiled water at homes takes time and cant be waster or brushing teeth.Also washing most fruits under a tap of running water sould make it pretty higenic to eat.
A simple tip do what the locals do and you will be in safe hands.Its also depends which city town you are going to live in .Safety tips would vary from city to city and town to town.

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himadventures

It is a huge list-I will try to explore the basics...

1. Religious places

Do as Romans Do-just see how other are dressed and how they are doing. MOstly you should ask for permission to take snaps inside sacred buildings.

SOME TEMPLES DO NOT ALLOW NON-HINDU VISTORS-TAKE CARE. These warning are usualy written in ENGLISH. So do not worry

EATING: Yes- in a home or with affection( You have to decide and set definitions for these words) you can accept food and drinks. BUT naturally not from strangers...

If you do not like the taste-please say clearly...this never hurts anyone as everyone understands that you are alien to these tastes..

MEDCINES:

Get a list of medicines from your doctor of your country or you can get it from INDIA. These helps in emergencies where medical help is not available...for example: Running Train...or Bus...

DRESS:

Excpet in METRO cities...do not try to expose...you may twist many necks of INDIAN MEN if you are not wearing BRA, Your cleavage is too low,your short are too short...that your thighs are visible...and you are kissing in public.

NIGHTOUTS:

Avoid them....you should be in your room well before dark...depends on place to place...but I would say...make it a rule.

MONEY: Do not carry huge dollars in purse...and do show your wallet in public...i am sure these are small things...but they do matter. Do not get lured by TOUTS telling them that they will give you better exchange rate...always get currency change from SHOPS dealing in EXCHANGE.

Besides every thing....

FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCT....

edwardseco

At least there are some people who get off the tourist track and meet "real" Indian people, sigh. What do the others go for.?

rab

There are some broad generalisations on this thread that simply will not stand up. I laughed and smiled all my way round India the first time and got very ill with Giardia.

Second time i was even happier (newly married) and never got a touch of sickness but used anti-bacterial gel several times a day especially before eating.

I tend to think it was the hand-washing gel that was the difference not the attitude.

Merchant

There are two types of travelers in India: Those Who Do and Those Who Don't.

The Don'ts usually post more threads on the Internet, fomenting a culture of paranoia . . .

Darmabum

Over the course of five trips to India, over three years in country, I have broken all the rules mentioned above about what to do and what not to do. I have never gotten sick in India, ever. Never been ripped off (except for the occasional overcharge for a rickshaw ride, clothing, buying food, but those don't bother me); never had anything stolen. I don't break the rules TO break the rules; I break them when the situation tell me otherwise. As you can see by the postings, there is no shortage of opinions and suggestions; forums like this are great places to share information. In the end, I think, all posters are sharing what worked for them. Go. Break the rules; follow them. Come back. Tell us what worked for you. Have a great trip. Scott

himadventures

You r not wrong either but if we have to go to some country-we also would like to know about things we should take care.
I do not think that there is anything wrong about it....but if someone just wants to barge into.........his way of things...