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Six Street Smart Tips To Shopping In India
24-02-2009
Although you're more than financially prepared to spend your annual bonus on your dream vacation to India and confident enough not to splurge everything while visiting the country, you can manage your funds and stretch them for yet more recreational activities and some luxury items for you and your loved ones if you observe the following street-smart tips when you go shopping in India.
1. Never underestimate the value of research. Prior to taking your flight, do as much research as possible about the cost of items and services you plan to avail of in India. A number of blogs and useful reports online should give you an idea of how much you will typically be spending on an item. Nothing can be more costly than ignorance; you can be scammed right under your very nose.
2. Pay in Indian rupees and bring enough change. A common modus of some cunning drivers and merchants is to declare that they have no spare change for you. Avoid wasting your rupees by having ready change on hand. Unless you are eating in a classy and upscale restaurant, tipping is not observed. If you want to, the rule of thumb is to give about 10 percent of the total cost of your bill.
3. Dress your part and commit this saying to heart: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Although you will still stand out as a foreigner among the crowds, wearing Indian garb helps you blend in a bit. These apparel pieces are fairly inexpensive and are easy to wash. Ditch the idea of flaunting your bare shoulders and legs too. Contrary to what you see in Bollywood films that showcase sexily clad dancers, Indian getup is pretty conservative. Don't forget to wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals as well.
4. Bring enough cash with you but do not flaunt all your resources. You may want to distribute your money, storing some in your wallet and other wads in your bag, your security bra and other places. To residents of repressed areas, wealthy-looking individuals will always be a target for smooth-talking swindling or hard-core pick-pocketing if you're not cautious enough. Hang on to your wallet and pockets, especially when you're feeling your way along crowded market stalls.
5. Do not say “yes” all the time. Unless you're gallivanting inside sophisticated malls, expect a number of peddlers to follow you around in an attempt to sell to you their wares. You may want to develop a habit of stoicism when you become the object of small pleasantries and unsolicited assistance. Being friendly and agreeing to be assisted might be misinterpreted by the populace as something more. You could also end up paying your industrious host a handsome sum of money without your knowing.
6. Do not do all your shopping in India. This tip is not focused on money saving but on convenience. There are some items that you may have a hard time finding in the non-urbane areas: sanitary napkins, medicine and deodorants. Just come prepared. These personal effects won't take up that much space in your luggage anyway.
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