Page 741 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  739

heads. It is acceptable for Eating Indian Style smoking in all public places,
women to wear long trousers. Eating with your fingers can including restaurants, bars, hotels,
Men should avoid shorts and take a bit of getting used to, offices and flights. Smoking or
may be asked to cover their but it is the best way to enjoy drinking within the precincts of
heads with a handkerchief traditional Indian food. If in doubt a temple, gurdwara or mosque
or scarf (rather than a hat). about how to eat a particular is strictly taboo, and in Amritsar,
Jain temples have strict dish, don’t be embarrassed to no smoking is permitted within
rules, and will not allow leather ask. It is considered impolite to the city limits.
items, even wallets or watch use your left hand for eating. Alcohol is available all over
straps, inside. In some Sitting on the floor for meals India, though the state of Gujarat
South Indian is common is “dry”, as are some religious sites
temples, men and, in and temple towns, such as
are expected the South, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Pushkar.
to remove banana In addition, there are certain
their shirts leaves are designated “dry days” all over
and wear a often used the country, such as Mahatma
dhoti instead instead Gandhi’s birthday (2 October)
of trousers. of plates. and Independence Day (15
These are August). Select restaurants are
often provided Tipping licensed to serve alchohol, and
at the temple you are not allowed to drink
entrance. At Sign for removing footwear There are no alcohol in parks, buses or trains.
most places of norms for
worship, shoes are taken off tipping, or baksheesh, as it is Beggars
at the door, and you should called. Porters and doormen at
sit with your feet facing away hotels are usually happy with a As a foreign visitor in India, you
from the main shrine. In a 20 or 50 rupee tip. In restaurants, will get more than your share
temple or monastery, walk check the bill before you decide of harassment from beggars at
around in a clockwise direction. on the tip, since the larger ones city traffic lights, markets and
You may be offered prasad usually include a service outside places of worship.
(sacred food) in most temples charge. If not, ten per cent of Beggars can be extremely
and gurdwaras; this must the total amount is usually fine. persistent. Although it is very
be taken only in the right hand. Tipping taxi or auto-rickshaw difficult to refuse, visitors who
The segregation of men and drivers is optional, and not give money to one will soon
women is common. generally expected. If you hire find themselves surrounded by
In Hindu temples, it is usual a car with a driver, however, a throng. Be especially careful
for devotees and visitors to offer you are expected to give him of being pickpocketed in the
flowers and incense. Do not sit a baksheesh. The same goes confusion. The best strategy is
on or lean against temple walls for hairdressers, masseurs to ignore them, and walk on
or shrines. Even those in ruins, or anyone offering you a until they leave you alone. If
as well as simple roadside graves, personal service. necessary, complain to a nearby
are considered holy. Some policeman. If you do wish to
Hindu temples, (especially in help monetarily, the staff at your
Kerala and a few in Odisha) are Smoking and Alcohol hotel will be able to suggest
out of bounds for non-Hindus. If In 2008, the Indian government deserving charities to whom
you are barred from entering, do imposed a countrywide ban on donations can be made.
not take offence. Avoid entering
a mosque during Friday prayers,
and men should stay away from
the women’s enclosure.
Bargaining
Bargaining is a way of life
in India. Exchanges can be
passionate, but one need not
be aggressive. Firmly state what
you would like to pay and walk
away if the shopkeeper does
not agree. If you are buying in
bulk, you may ask for an extra
discount. The prices in larger
shops and government emporia
are usually fixed (see p720). Hindu pilgrims outside a temple in Odisha

738-739_EW_India.indd 739 26/04/17 11:56 am