For information - a few important points that need to be paid attention during your journey through India. He that hath ears, let him hear:

"Assistants" at the stations:
Upon arrival at any station or airport in India, you can meet helpers, or porters (sometimes they even in uniform with the inscription Porter). Seeing your luggage, they take it on the shoulders (or pick it up on the nearest cart) and ask where to carry. Of course, this is very convenient, provided that you have large suitcases and a lot of cash. This is quite common practice and many Indians use their services, however, when foreigners see these helpers turn on their counter, and in the end you will be presented with a tidy sum. In this case, do not hesitate in advance to ask the porter the price for the service. And yet, not all porters-helpers wear a special uniform. You can run into an "amateur" and its price will be difficult to influence. If you do not have too many things in your luggage - better give up these obsessive "helpers".

Taxi drivers, tuk-tuki, rickshaws:

There are times when you need to get to a place you do not know well. The best option is to take a taxi or a cheap tuk-tuk (three-wheeled motorcycle) or rickshaw. But this brethren likes to sin with the price, sometimes overestimating it three or more times, especially for foreigners who do not speak Hindi. There are times when you are not brought there at all, but in the end, they also demand money for this. How to deal with such situations? Listen to your intuition, but it sounds funny, but if you suddenly do not like the taxi driver, choose another. Do not hesitate to shoot on a "mobile phone" or a camera discussing prices, addresses. This can keep the driver from excessive greed. Now in all airports in India and at the stations there are so-called Prepaid taxi - you will know in advance how much the trip will cost and there will be no unforeseen expenses "from above". Well and besides - Hubert to you in the help!

Overpricing for "white":

When buying food, beverages, household chemicals in India, if you look closely at the packaging, then at the point where the expiration date of the product is indicated, you will see a line with the price (the so-called MRP - Maximum Retail Price). Under Indian law, the manufacturer is obliged to indicate the value of the products, and the seller, in turn, must not overstate it. But, unfortunately, not all sellers are honest. In supermarkets, in decent shops in big cities in India, this requirement is met, but in small shops, markets and small towns, merchants can also put a price of 30-70 rupees on similar goods, especially if MRP is not specified. Do not hesitate to bargain if the seller suddenly installed "his" price tag or stated a high price. Sometimes it is very helpful to attract local traders (especially if you know someone from the local market, this will usually cool the seller's fervor).

When buying clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, you probably will not see this line. In this case, as a rule, Indians like to bargain, do not be shy of this and you. Boldly knock down the price by about 70-80%. I'm sure you will not lose it, because Indians overstate the price of such goods three or more times.

Misdeal:

So, we bargained for a fair price and finally bought the coveted goods. But do not write off to rejoice! There is a sinful sellers for sly sellers. With a quiet heart you may not be given a couple hundred rupees. In this case, without departing from the bench, store at the seller count with him the money and demand to give a complete change. As a rule, they apologize, that they are tired, the sun is hot, they did not notice, but they return the money.

But there are times when they do not give in at all. Referring to the fact that they have no denominations with a lower par value. In this situation, and, generally speaking, in all situations related to money in India, the ideal option will be if you pay just as much as the thing costs, that is, without surrender. But since it so happened that the exchange and you do not, then return the goods and demand a full refund.

Accidental passer-by:
You decided to leave the hotel and take a walk .... Do not have time to move and a hundred meters - you come to the local aborigine, sometimes even decently dressed and with good English. He begins to tell you something in Indian English, between the business to ask about your life, where you are going, offers help, indicates places where you should go. Some immediately ask about your religious views, and, hearing the answer, exclaim that, about a miracle, he also adheres to them! At the end of this pleasant conversation, a new acquaintance shows you the account. On the question "What for?", Calmly you will answer, they say, I told you this here, "Bhagavad-gita" retold, sighted points, etc. In this case, the rule is one, do not enter into dialogue with strangers, or answer all dubious questions, do not hesitate to accent, "dont anderstand" and leave. But more often such "accompanying" simply conduct you to shop or the market with which they have an agreement on the percentage (do not believe the stories that the cheapest goods are here), and they will get their own

Tipping from the owner of this store (even if you do not buy anything). A universal way to get rid of such importunate attendants is to ignore them or the universal expression in Hindi - "nehi chai" (nothing is needed)

Crocheted:
This category of people in India is special. You will meet them near places of pilgrimage or at temples. They dress like clergymen. Well, if you know some subtleties in clothes and requirements for the appearance of the clergy. But if not, it will be more difficult. There are two types of deception. The first kind is straightforward and rude: without your demand, the pseudo-Brahmin or pseudo-monk reads to you prayers, performs some ritual actions in order to throw dust into your eyes, and then asks for money for the rendered service. And all this with reference to various deities and to your further destiny. The second kind is soft and cunning. The "clergyman" also starts talking to you on religious topics, and then starts offering to buy from him some trinkets, a sheet from the sacred tree, for example. Tries to convince you, referring again to deities, your karma, that, they say, without this "sacred" thing you will disappear. If this does not convince you, then he begins to cry for his life, etc. What to do in such situations? Ignore such pseudo-Brahmins, use the technique of "dont an derstand" and remember that real priests, monks, yogis in India will not be forced to question money, since at least they have a number of vows and duties.

In general, the people of India are very hospitable and open, many with pleasure and, most importantly, unselfishly help foreigners who come to their country.

So, remember:

1. Indians are very friendly, but cunning. Bargain everywhere. Even in hostels.

2. For all its slowness and unnecessaryness, India is beautiful. The main thing is not to be afraid and be on a good wave. Periodically beggars, of course, stick. But if you do not notice them, they will fall behind. In addition - the universal expression of "nehi tee" to help you.

Indians in Delhi, for example, you to the lantern. He walks white and walks.

3. The most important thing is to plan the route correctly. And to know that train tickets are very difficult to buy, especially in the season: huge queues in the waiting list. And to register on the website of Indian Railways and buy on-line, you need an Indian SIM card.

4. Indians, like children. If they lie, then it is seen and, moreover, often deprived of the sense of tact. And they are afraid of everything. Threat to the police - and they are in the bushes.
5. Bureaucracy in India is pohleshche ours. There are bribes and bribes. But there is a fee to which we reduce any alleged fine or bribe (if nothing serious). This is 100 rupees (1 rupee is roughly equal to 1 ruble for today). More, they say, no.

6. Taxi. At any airport there is a prepaid taxi. The main thing is not to leave the building, so as not to cling to barkers. You go to the window, tell where to go, you name the price. The price is final. Do not bargain here.

Moving around the city: on foot, rickshaw, taxi (ascending price). With rickshaws bargain in the blood, with a taxi (not prepaid), too. With rickshaws it's very funny - you trade to a minimum, and then you give for tea. Walking on foot is uncomfortable, because with the sidewalks in the country is bad.

7. Dress code. Respect the country you came to. To go to girls is better in long: pants, a skirt. Not short shorts. Although in Goa and Delhi it is possible and in shorts. Stones do not shower.

In the Delhi metro two metal detectors and two lines: male and female. At the entrance you are searched (women are women), you show bags. With alcohol, large bottles and other suspicious things can not. But we carried the bottle of rum just because we forgot. We were condescendingly looked at and passed (the white man is bysab).

8. About the water. drink only and exclusively water from bottles, if you do not want adventure for one place. In any hotel and even a hostel - a bottle of water in the room is a must. And it's better not to go out without a bottle of water, especially during the hot season.

9. Money. In cities, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. But it is better to always have a cache rupee with you. So, find the exchanger and change everything at once and in small bills. You should always have small bills. As you know, no one will be able to surrender.

10. Alcohol. In India, a complex policy about alcohol. In some states, it is completely banned. The most liberal state in this respect (and in many others) is Goa. But you can always find alcohol. The Indians hide, but they drink. In general, they are cowardly and do not tolerate alcohol. Therefore, drink and bainki. Alcohol is in large in spec. stores.

11. Men - always go to the barber shop. This is a whole magic with a dangerous razor (you just have to say that everything worked, and not the machine). Also massage of the face will make, fragrant creams will pomade, an ideal beard will cut out. Beauty. Everywhere it's customary to leave for tea. Even where there is a fee. Barbers, seamstresses, waiters. You have fifty kopecks, and you need to feed them for seven days. Well, karma, friends, karma.

12. The Internet. In inexpensive hotels there is no stable Internet.

Articles you can write, you can upload pictures, but you can not upload videos anymore. Home Internet in India from state companies. To connect it, the owner must go through seven circles of hell and put a considerable amount for service. Wires are not stretched everywhere, and even where they are - the quality leaves much to be desired.

If you have any questions or need clarifications - please, always glad to help