Stupid questions from a window tourist

sbhikes · Dec 13th, 2006, 09:41

I'm in Mumbai but I get driven everywhere and our drivers are so protective they won't let us go anywhere the regular people would go. Basically we have only seen India so far by peering from behind darkened windows as we travel to/from work or to another fancy mall I can't afford.

So I have some stupid questions.

1) What do they sell at those tiny shops that you see hanging in little packets? It looks like condoms? Are they condoms?

2) Why aren't espresso coffee places open in the morning?

3) Am I being ripped off or do they always round off in their favor when you purchase anything or change money?

4) Do you get tired of people trying to make you "comfortable"? The incessant, frigid air-conditioning that they turn up even colder as soon as you arrive (for chrissakes if I want to freeze to death I can just stay home), turning off all the lights in the restaurant as soon as we arrive (so we can enjoy "candlelit" ambiance) but it's now so dark we can't read the menu, the constant fussing and moving around of our condiments, utensils, cups and bottles on our table etc. It's quite tiresome. I would like to enjoy things just as we find them. Does this happen to you?

5) How can you say no and have it stick? I would like to take a walk and not have people try to give me a ride.

Sorry these are strange questions. At least in a couple of days we get to leave our "minders" and go off to Agra and Goa (alone at last) and maybe we'll experience all the "terrors" of India firsthand.

capt_mahajan · Dec 13th, 2006, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbhikes

So I have some stupid questions.

1) What do they sell at those tiny shops that you see hanging in little packets? It looks like condoms? Are they condoms?

sachets of shampoos, betelnut/supari, chew, etc. they are cheap because they are single use.

2) Why aren't espresso coffee places open in the morning?

roadside tea/coffee kiosks are. india does not yet have a culture of picking up a coffee on the way to work

3) Am I being ripped off or do they always round off in their favor when you purchase anything or change money?
yes, you are. rounding off to the nearest rupee or nearest fifty paisa would be acceptable, though. note this will sometimes work in your favour too

4) Do you get tired of people trying to make you "comfortable"? The incessant, frigid air-conditioning that they turn up even colder as soon as you arrive (for chrissakes if I want to freeze to death I can just stay home), turning off all the lights in the restaurant as soon as we arrive (so we can enjoy "candlelit" ambiance) but it's now so dark we can't read the menu, the constant fussing and moving around of our condiments, utensils, cups and bottles on our table etc. It's quite tiresome. I would like to enjoy things just as we find them. Does this happen to you?

not really, but you can always tell them what you prefer.

5) How can you say no and have it stick? I would like to take a walk and not have people try to give me a ride.

hmm. assume you mean auto/cab drivers. tough one. ignore them after the first no, they will eventually go away. With non cab drivers, and if there are people around, tell them to go to hell

Sorry these are strange questions. At least in a couple of days we get to leave our "minders" and go off to Agra and Goa (alone at last) and maybe we'll experience all the "terrors" of India firsthand.

on the other hand, once you get away from the minders, you may feel less terrorised. Enjoy.

sbhikes · Dec 13th, 2006, 10:17

Yeah, that's another question I have. Where is all this chai I've heard about? I have never seen any and would really like to have some.

capt_mahajan · Dec 13th, 2006, 10:21

If you walk out of wherever in Mumbai, specially early morning, you will find some roadside vendors (small stalls) selling tea. Ask for masala tea. Or, there used to be a 'ek number ki chai' (literally, number one tea, saturated with sugar, not for the uninitated!). Refreshing.

For coffee, try the Udipi/South Indian resteraunts. Good stuff. Ask for South Indian filter Coffee

Nick-H · Dec 13th, 2006, 12:45

Yes, I get fed up with the AC and the fans!

...and my wife gets fed up with me wanting to keep our home hot!

You are entitled to and should get your change to the nearest rupee. If they claim not to have it --- just wait and expect them to fetch it! They will either do so, or discover it pretty quick! There is no 'shortage of change' --- not in the cities, at any rate.

On the other hand, nothing to stop you being generous rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 if you feel like it

.

freenote · Dec 13th, 2006, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbhikes

I'm in Mumbai but I get driven everywhere and our drivers are so protective they won't let us go anywhere the regular people would go. Basically we have only seen India so far by peering from behind darkened windows as we travel to/from work or to another fancy mall I can't afford.

So I have some stupid questions.

1) What do they sell at those tiny shops that you see hanging in little packets? It looks like condoms? Are they condoms?

2) Why aren't espresso coffee places open in the morning?

3) Am I being ripped off or do they always round off in their favor when you purchase anything or change money?

4) Do you get tired of people trying to make you "comfortable"? The incessant, frigid air-conditioning that they turn up even colder as soon as you arrive (for chrissakes if I want to freeze to death I can just stay home), turning off all the lights in the restaurant as soon as we arrive (so we can enjoy "candlelit" ambiance) but it's now so dark we can't read the menu, the constant fussing and moving around of our condiments, utensils, cups and bottles on our table etc. It's quite tiresome. I would like to enjoy things just as we find them. Does this happen to you?

5) How can you say no and have it stick? I would like to take a walk and not have people try to give me a ride.

Sorry these are strange questions. At least in a couple of days we get to leave our "minders" and go off to Agra and Goa (alone at last) and maybe we'll experience all the "terrors" of India firsthand.

1/ no they are not condoms. Can be Gupta which is a tobacco mix or a pan mix which is popped into the mouth and enjoyed (by some) an indian way of smoking without the smoke.Also individual washing powders ,shampoos etc .
2/ Not sure ,could be that that indians are not early morning people .?
3/What!! get your change .What do they think you are ,made of money !!!
4 / Just trying to make you comfortable and provide good service ,if you don't like ,say so .This only seems to happen in upmarket establishments
5/I am afraid to say you have to start putting some barriers up ,there are a lot of people in india and they all have to make a rupee to survive ,and you are obviously a tourist and made of money .
To me it would also be a relief to get rid of the minders ,get out there and enjoy india

p.s No chia yet ,sad .!

just_an_old_boy · Dec 13th, 2006, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by freenote

2/ Not sure ,could be that that indians are not early morning people .?

Not really. Average Indians wake up quite early. Lot of people (elders/small town/villages) take an early shower/bath to prepare for prayers etc. Offering prayer with the first light of dawn. Sadly, this ancient religious ritual is fading away from the urban scene.
As far as coffee is concerned...at least in North majority of folks start with a cup of tea (chai !

). Tea stalls do open up (questionable quality in cities), but regular establishment will not open up until 10 A.M. And given the state of our transport system it will not be feasible for anyone to hop onto a bus or train with a cup of coffee or tea or whatever.

sbhikes,
Indian hospitality as work

. Request your 'minders' to get you a cup of tea in the working the moment you wake up (okay it will take 5-10 minutes). Believe me you'll not feel the craving for coffee.

sbhikes · Dec 13th, 2006, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

If you walk out of wherever in Mumbai, specially early morning, you will find some roadside vendors (small stalls) selling tea.

I'm a prisoner in our hotel because the drivers sleep in their cars in the parking lot and our hotel is in the middle of nowhere. I cannot escape for tea! The hotel tea and coffee is awful, too.

Hmm. So they're ripping me off. It's always been rounded to the nearest 5 rupees if I didn't have exact change. A reciept I received from one store even had a line-item for rounding. So I wasn't sure. The least they can do is round in my favor, which is what we do in the States if your change is going to include pennies and the cashier is out of pennies.

Nick-H · Dec 13th, 2006, 14:55

Sounds more like a trip in some totalitarian state!

Get one thing clear with your driver(s) --- you appreciate their concern, but it is your trip and your life and they will stop and you will walk unaccompanied, or take an auto rickshaw or do anything else you please....

Just tell him to stop. Anywhere. And do what you want.

machadinha · Dec 13th, 2006, 15:03

If this is for real, why not get the hell out of there, book a room of your own downtown and just enjoy Mumbai like you should?

btw I'm not making fun of you either, I've heard similar stories before. Drop it. Get out of there. Ask your drivers to ride downtown and slam the door.

sbhikes · Dec 13th, 2006, 15:09

It's really funny with these guys. They were hired by the company I work for. Anyway, 5 of us went down to Elephanta caves and on the way back we bumped into a friend at the Gateway to India who also used to work at the same company (but now has a new job). He's Indian. We decided it would be fun to go get some beers and relax. As we are walking up to the cars to go let our drivers know, they wouldn't let us go with him. They were afraid we didn't really know him and he was going to rob or murder us or something. I really don't know. One of our group speaks the language (he lives in Hyderabad) and even he could not convince them it was ok. So finally after a lot of arguing and sharing of cell phone numbers they let us go with the guy. They are very over-protective.

We'll be free of them soon once our real vacation starts and we don't have to go in to work anymore.

Nick-H · Dec 13th, 2006, 15:21

What are they going to do about it? Physically prevent you?

Just wave goodbye and walk away.

Or complain to your company and get them changed --- they've probably been told, most likely in good faith, to look after you. Tell the company they are overdoing it.

Book your own taxi one day and see their faces

somnath · Dec 13th, 2006, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by freenote

1/ no they are not condoms. Can be Gupta which is a tobacco mix or a pan mix which is popped into the mouth and enjoyed (by some) an indian way of smoking without the smoke.........

Gupta !!!!

He he he… freenote….. you are going to face a big trouble from Guptas - Gupta is a common surname in India. You mean “Gutkha” (
http://www.triplebridgeltd.com/siteb...ka-419x309.jpg )

- Somnath

steven_ber · Dec 13th, 2006, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbhikes

They were hired by the company I work for.

The drivers may fear losing their (probably well paid) job if anything happens to you whilst they’re supposed to be looking after you.

So it may be worth being calm, polite and letting their boss know that you want to be away from them for a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbhikes

We'll be free of them soon once our real vacation starts and we don't have to go in to work anymore.

Yes, Agra and Goa, you may wish you had the driver with you, particularly in Agra.

mountaingirl · Dec 13th, 2006, 17:33

If telling the driver doesn't work, then the 'sweet' way. I guess they are still treating you as 'boss'- break the ice, be 'pal'y - ask them to show their home, say you want to have 'chai' in a local dhaba. They will know a 'clean' place that they normally visit. and dress up accordingly.

Dec 13th, 2006, 09:41	#1
sbhikes Diane Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 60	Stupid questions from a window tourist I'm in Mumbai but I get driven everywhere and our drivers are so protective they won't let us go anywhere the regular people would go. Basically we have only seen India so far by peering from behind darkened windows as we travel to/from work or to another fancy mall I can't afford. So I have some stupid questions. 1) What do they sell at those tiny shops that you see hanging in little packets? It looks like condoms? Are they condoms? 2) Why aren't espresso coffee places open in the morning? 3) Am I being ripped off or do they always round off in their favor when you purchase anything or change money? 4) Do you get tired of people trying to make you "comfortable"? The incessant, frigid air-conditioning that they turn up even colder as soon as you arrive (for chrissakes if I want to freeze to death I can just stay home), turning off all the lights in the restaurant as soon as we arrive (so we can enjoy "candlelit" ambiance) but it's now so dark we can't read the menu, the constant fussing and moving around of our condiments, utensils, cups and bottles on our table etc. It's quite tiresome. I would like to enjoy things just as we find them. Does this happen to you? 5) How can you say no and have it stick? I would like to take a walk and not have people try to give me a ride. Sorry these are strange questions. At least in a couple of days we get to leave our "minders" and go off to Agra and Goa (alone at last) and maybe we'll experience all the "terrors" of India firsthand. Last edited by machadinha : Dec 13th, 2006 at 10:18. Reason: moved to "happens only in india" forum

Dec 13th, 2006, 12:45	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Yes, I get fed up with the AC and the fans! ...and my wife gets fed up with me wanting to keep our home hot! You are entitled to and should get your change to the nearest rupee. If they claim not to have it --- just wait and expect them to fetch it! They will either do so, or discover it pretty quick! There is no 'shortage of change' --- not in the cities, at any rate. On the other hand, nothing to stop you being generous rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 if you feel like it . __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 13th, 2006, 15:03	#10
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,144	If this is for real, why not get the hell out of there, book a room of your own downtown and just enjoy Mumbai like you should? btw I'm not making fun of you either, I've heard similar stories before. Drop it. Get out of there. Ask your drivers to ride downtown and slam the door. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Dec 13th, 2006, 10:17	#3
sbhikes Diane Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 60	Yeah, that's another question I have. Where is all this chai I've heard about? I have never seen any and would really like to have some.

Dec 13th, 2006, 10:21	#4
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,724	If you walk out of wherever in Mumbai, specially early morning, you will find some roadside vendors (small stalls) selling tea. Ask for masala tea. Or, there used to be a 'ek number ki chai' (literally, number one tea, saturated with sugar, not for the uninitated!). Refreshing. For coffee, try the Udipi/South Indian resteraunts. Good stuff. Ask for South Indian filter Coffee

Dec 13th, 2006, 14:55	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Sounds more like a trip in some totalitarian state! Get one thing clear with your driver(s) --- you appreciate their concern, but it is your trip and your life and they will stop and you will walk unaccompanied, or take an auto rickshaw or do anything else you please.... Just tell him to stop. Anywhere. And do what you want.

Dec 13th, 2006, 15:09	#11
sbhikes Diane Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 60	It's really funny with these guys. They were hired by the company I work for. Anyway, 5 of us went down to Elephanta caves and on the way back we bumped into a friend at the Gateway to India who also used to work at the same company (but now has a new job). He's Indian. We decided it would be fun to go get some beers and relax. As we are walking up to the cars to go let our drivers know, they wouldn't let us go with him. They were afraid we didn't really know him and he was going to rob or murder us or something. I really don't know. One of our group speaks the language (he lives in Hyderabad) and even he could not convince them it was ok. So finally after a lot of arguing and sharing of cell phone numbers they let us go with the guy. They are very over-protective. We'll be free of them soon once our real vacation starts and we don't have to go in to work anymore.

Dec 13th, 2006, 15:21	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	What are they going to do about it? Physically prevent you? Just wave goodbye and walk away. Or complain to your company and get them changed --- they've probably been told, most likely in good faith, to look after you. Tell the company they are overdoing it. Book your own taxi one day and see their faces

Dec 13th, 2006, 17:33	#15
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 421	If telling the driver doesn't work, then the 'sweet' way. I guess they are still treating you as 'boss'- break the ice, be 'pal'y - ask them to show their home, say you want to have 'chai' in a local dhaba. They will know a 'clean' place that they normally visit. and dress up accordingly.

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