backpacker or buisnisswoman...

stinelie

Hi,
I'm rather unsure on what to put in my backpack for my month in delhi. I'm going to do fieldwork in an IT company, doing intervjues, siting in on project meetings and such. And honestly i have no idea about what "level" of formal to aim for, should i do the whole corporate deal with a full suit or something more informal with a skirt and a top or should i get some more traditional india clothes to wear? Any good ideas? I'm from cold norway and therefor not too used to the heat, so trousers and log sleeves doens't really appeal to me in 30 degrees Does anybody have any thoughts? Whats common? What will be expected? What should i bring from home and what should i get in Delhi?

Thanks a bunch

Stine

Tapestry

Dear Stine,

Indians dress quite formally, especially the women, and especially for the office. I think you would find that Indian women wearing their full suits (Indian style, not western), with the accompanying jewelry, makeup, heels and scarf will really make you wish you had packed that skirt and blouse if you were to decide on more casual wear. It really depends on the office you are going to, but even day-to-day wear on Indian women tends to look quite dressy by western standards so you should at least pack some nice office-y clothes and then if you like you can pick up some Indianwear while you're here. But if you wear jeans and sneakers to that first meeting, you would probably wish you hadn't!

good luck,
Tapestry

stinelie

Thank you, that's just the need of reply i need to get though i don't think i would have ended up in jeanes and sneakers anyway. Would be fun to pick up some "indianwear", though i don't know how much use i'll have of it when i get back home Could i post an additional question, how does an Indian style (female)suite look? (pics anyone?)

Again thank you

Nick-H

Indian style formal = sari or salwar kameez.

Salwar kameez is also known as "punjabi suit". Quite possibly you know what it looks like already, once you see the name?

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vicky26

U have not mentioned which month you would be in Delhi, if u r coming in after the second half of Nov till February, Delhi would be quite cold, but incase before 15th of Nov, then it would be warm, though nights would be a wee bit chilly as per [u]Indian standards. As you say, u would be working in an IT company, the dress code could be formal with trousers and shirt. If your work entails u to be indoors then casuals could also be fine for some days, and the suits could be kept for meetings and stuff like that.

stinelie

Hi, thanks nick, just took a quick google and figured out what you meant and vicky I'll be in Delhi from the 31th of october to the 28th of november

S

Tapestry

Yes, be prepared for some surprisingly chilly weather in Delhi. A light shawl/pashmina will be your best friend. It also dresses up and/or covers up an outfit quite nicely, too! Another outfit tip - pants are 100% OK for women to wear, you don't have to wear a skirt, especially because Indian women do not show their legs in public.

stinelie

I now wonder what you consider chilly.... What would max and min temperature be in a day? (pref in C) Thanks for good advise, sounds like i'll need to do some serious shopping

Nick-H

An IT company may well be quite progressive in terms of dress.

mira4bai4

Expect 25 ~ 30 C during the day and dropping to 15 ~ 20 at night if it comes up cooler. But there could be the odd day that gives a 35 C just to keep you guessing. actually a great time of year but a little smoky. There also may be a little early morning fog which is pretty grotty considering what it is mixed with. A gas mask would not go astray.

stinelie

In my book that's as good as a summer day gets temperaturewise Thanks again Any good ideas as what shoes to wear? (yeah i'm abusing you a bit now but i know you like it )

mira4bai4

No rules these days, just what suits you. Fashion is full on, not much holding Delhi back especially in the evenings.

sudheer poppa

When you are the interviewer, tops and skirts would do fine.. Just avoid anything upwards of knees as your interviewees can be distracted.

Would make sense to primarily pack for the first two weeks or so, and then once you have got a feel for it, you can pick up some stuff in India.. After all, better to come with a half full suitcase and return with a full one.

Shoes - avoid overtly high heels as you may have to walk at time in not too ideal roads if there is a road work in the periphery of your hotel or office.

Infact, I would recommend leaving the business shoes at work and using another more comfy pair for the to and fro journey.. Its got nothing to do with India, but more of a personal secret as I do it in most part of the world if my business trip exceeds a few days. And most of my collegues keep asking me why my shoes shine like hell for they never see life outside airconditioned offices

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stinelie

Thank you that was good advise, and probably not things i would otherwise think of... I was planning on travelig light and getting my cloths washed at the hotel or something like that. How easy is it? I'm going to live in a budget hotell max 3 stars. I'm considering doing my underwear myself as i'm unsure how people would react to them.... Any thoughts?

Again tons of thanks

S

Nick-H

sudheer: I've got this mental picture of you getting to work and changing into your high-heals!

stinelie... yes, your hotel will do your washing for you and get it pressed, all within a day or two (usually). You might be advised to wash very delicate stuff for yourself, but unless your underwear is of a particularly embarrassing nature () I'm sure it is nothing that the washing people haven't seen before! India is a country where you can afford to be lazy: enjoy it

By the way... we had a member not so long ago who liked to send PMs to lady members about their underwear. He was banned, but you never know --- so let a mod know if your post ilicits any unwanted personal responses...