India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [620]
TIPPING Tipping in India is an industry unto itself, and it’s a relief to find yourself in an environment like the Oberoi, where individual tipping is not encouraged, for this very reason. Bear in mind that many of the people who serve you are possibly living on the bread line, and your monetary contribution will be greatly appreciated; handing over a Rs 10 or Rs 20 note will hardly dent your pocket. Obviously it’s not worthwhile to tip someone who hasn’t eased your journey, but do reward those drivers, guides, and hotel staff who go out of their way to make your stay an enjoyable one. A driver or guide who’s been with you an entire day will be most grateful for an extra Rs 200 to Rs 300.
Tipping is but one strain of India’s all-pervasive baksheesh system, which is apparently an accepted means of distributing wealth to the lower echelons of society. As a foreigner, you will be regarded as wealthy, and your endless charity is almost expected by those who are less fortunate. It’s therefore an excellent idea to always keep a stash of Rs 10 notes in an easy-to-access pocket, so that you can hand cash to the person who has just carried your bags or given you an unsolicited tour or looked after your shoes (the list is endless), and is now hanging around hopefully. Occasionally, someone will bluntly demand baksheesh, which is the same term that may be used by beggars, religious mendicants, and barefoot children looking for a handout. You are not obliged to pay anything, of course, but your conscience and irritation level will probably sway you either way. Tip: In Hindu temples, priests will happily encourage you to hand over huge sums of cash, often insisting that the money is for the poor. Be wary of such scams, and bear in mind that many temple officials have grown wealthy on charity intended for the poor.
TOILETS Use only toilets in your hotel, in reputable restaurants, shopping malls, airports, and other modern-looking institutional buildings. Tales of toilet horror stories may be exaggerated to some extent, but there’s no point exposing yourself to potential shock. If you do feel compelled to use a “local” or traditional toilet, be prepared by carrying toilet paper, as its use is not the norm among the vast majority of the population. However, toilet paper is a major contribution to environmental devastation and, by all accounts, the use of water rather than paper (which often cannot be flushed down the system) is more hygienic and environmentally friendly. If you’re unsure of toilet etiquette in any place, simply ask.
VISAS See the planning chapter.
VISITOR INFORMATION India Tourism is going all out to seduce international visitors, and has fairly extensive representation around the globe. Access its website (www.incredibleindia.org) for general information, but be aware that some pages may be out of date or permanently under construction. The websites do offer links to all of India’s regional tourism departments, some of which provide fantastic coverage of what’s on offer.
India Tourism offices may be found worldwide as follows. In the U.S.: 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Room 204, Los Angeles, CA 90010, 213/380-8855; and Suite 1808, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, 212/586-4901. In the U.K.: 7 Cork St., London W1X 3LN; 020/7437-3677. In Canada: 60 Bloor St. (W), Suite 1003, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3B8; 416/962-3787. In Australia: Level 5, 135 King St., Glasshouse Shopping Complex, Sydney, NSW 2000; 2/9221-9555.
You can access up-to-the-minute news and stories through the websites of some of the country’s largest English dailies, including http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com, www.hindustantimes.com, www.expressindia.com, and www.hindu.com, as well as Mumbai-based www.dnaindia.com. For up-to-date news from the two premier English-language 24/7 news channels, and updates on Bollywood movies, visit www.ndtv.com or http://ibnlive.in.com; for travel-related information and features, visit www.outlooktraveller.com.
WATER Refer to the section on “Health” in the planning chapter for full details