Page 58 - Soul of India: The Colorful South

As you travel, exercise the same caution and awareness that you would in a large American
city. Don’t be overly nervous or suspicious, but keep your eyes open. There have been thefts in
Delhi. If you are venturing out after dark, go with one or two other people.

Carry a one-day supply of cash in your pocket. Carry most of your money, and your passport,
in a travel pouch or money belt under your shirt. Replenish your pocket supply when you
are in a safe and quiet place, or in our vehicle. Almost all of our hotel rooms provide a
complimentary electronic in-closet safe. Please set your personal pin number on the electronic
closet safes and utilize them. Do not leave valuable items unattended in your room.

Pickpockets

Pickpockets may create a sudden distraction. In any sort of puzzling street situation, try to
keep one hand on your money belt. If an encounter with a local turns out to be long and
complicated and involves money or your valuables, be very careful. Con artists sometimes
target travelers.

A Note about India
,OaPY_`]Z`^ _]LaPWP]^ bTWW ʭYO 4YOTL L ^[T]T_`LWWd Q`WʭWWTYR OP^_TYL_TZY ]TNS bT_S YL_`]LW
wonder. However, poverty, persistent begging, pollution, and poor sanitation can be
distressing. In some of the small villages where we stop during our days of touring, we must
make do with Asian squat-style toilets. Some hotels and businesses may not have elevators, so
be prepared to climb stairs.

The Finer Points
/ZYɪ_ WP_ _SP ʭYP [ZTY_^ ZQ 4YOTLY P_T\`P__P bZ]]d dZ`& WZNLW^ VYZb _SL_ aT^T_Z]^ NLYɪ_ MP
expected to know every detail. Much of what is considered polite in India is similar to what’s
[ZWT_P TY _SP @ > -`_ L^ L XL__P] ZQ TY_P]P^_ bPɪaP [`_ _ZRP_SP] L WT^_ ZQ ɭʭYP] [ZTY_^ɮ _SL_
might surprise you:

• When someone hands you something, it is polite to accept it with the right hand. If you
are eating with your hands, you should use your right hand to take food or to put it in
dZ`] XZ`_S -`_ MPTYR L ɭWPQ_dɮ T^ ʭYP LYO PL_TYR WPQ_ SLYOPO bT_S N`_WP]d T^ :6 _ZZ

• Indians are generally quiet when they eat, discussing amongst themselves before the
food is served or after it is eaten.

• Indians do not put their feet on top of a chair or a bed, and would only put books or
NWZ_SP^ ZY _SP ʮZZ] TQ _SPd bP]P MPTYR OT^NL]OPO

• 6T^^TYR NZ`[WP^ LYO Z_SP] OT^[WLd^ ZQ [`MWTN LʬPN_TZY L]P Q]ZbYPO `[ZY M`_ Q]TPYO^ ZQ
the same gender may walk hand-in-hand or arm-and-arm.

• Questions about a person’s caste or if life was better under the British are
considered impolite.

58