Can anyone tell me about the do's and dont's of visiting India, so as not to offend the locals ?

It was on BBC Breakfast news about not blowing your nose in public in Japan, not wearing shorts in the town in Venezuela and not showing the soles of your feet in Egypt, as these are all very offensive there.

Is there anything like this in India that I should be aware of ?

My wife and I are visiting India in April. We don't want to look like ignorant tourists !!

When eating with your fingers, use the right hand only and keep the left one under the table. If there's a water tap on the restaurant wall, you're expected to wash your hands before you sit down for a meal.

The thing about the bare soles from Egypt is also valid in India.

Shaking hands is not a common way of greeting; watch the Indians how they do it, but don't try to imitate it.

On beaches, nudity is generally forbidden, and topless bathing, although sometimes tolerated, is considered very indecent.

Main misunderstanding: When an Indian slightly shakes his head from left to right an back, this means "yes" or "maybe". They don't nod to say "yes". Also note that "no problem" sometimes means exactly the contrary, and that "tomorrow" is any time in the future.

Avoid giving money to begging kids. You give money to one, you'll soon be followed by another dozen.

Kissing, hugging, and in the more conservative areas even holding hands with your wife in public should be avoided. (Goa, the tourist state, is an exception. They're used to the western way of life. But their ties to Europe have always been closer, being a Portuguese colony until 1961.)

You don't have to learn Hindi to make yourself understood; they have different languages in different states anyway. English will be fine. As to my experience, you'll be better understood if you use a slight Scottish accent, especially the r.

To understand guided tours and newspapers, you should know that a "lakh" is 100,000, and a "crore" is ten million. So if you're told that a city has "60 lakh" inhabitants, this is six million.

Except in restaurants and shops with fixed prices, bargaining is a must. They'll despise you if you accept the first price called. This is also valid for taxis and, more so, motor rikshaws. They do have meters, but you'll almost surely be told that they're out of order.

Well, that's about all I can think of now. Just behave like a decent Westerner would do, and there'll be no problems. Simple things like visiting temples in decent clothing and taking off your shoes at the entrance don't have to be mentioned, do they?

Enjoy your trip.

Dont eat beef.

i'm going there today for the 4th time...no - India is pretty relaxed but they are religious people so when i go into the towns...i try to dress a little more conservatively. i dont walk round in a bikini top...i cover up more. its a very beautiful place!

I only know of one don't .. don't drink the water or eat uncooked foods like salad that have been washed in water.

http://www.kashmirhotravel.com/travel_ti...

If/When you go to some main attractions you will get approached by people touting for rides on elephants or people asking for money or selling trinkets. Be polite but firm (they won't have a go at you necessarily, but our tour guide got a real ear bashing when he tried to steer us away from some of the 'regulars' on the tourist trail). Maybe take along a few small gifts like pencils for children you might meet along the way.

Hiya people in india are pretty relaxed it would help if you learnt hindi and also wear clothes that cover your body relatively

India is pretty relaxed to Tourists specially when it is a family thing. The young girls dressing in exposed clothes cause social problems. Rest are fine.Also avoid contacts like kissing in Public. Taboo.
Indians are otherwise cool about what you wear and do. As long as you are polite.
Be careful of cheats in Touristy places.
Stick with routes given. And the trained guides are safe.
Do not stick your leg up when an elderly person is sitting across= it is insulting to an elder.
Avoid eating exposed stuff . Drink plenty of water from sealed bottles only. That too purchased from recognized shops.
Tea at any place is safe.
So are freshly fried food.

I think it is a good start.
Have fun.

a request for beef curry can offend

Avoid revealing clothes if you are a lady.

Avoid kissing and hugging people accompanying you in public places.

Avoid speaking harshly

India is very beautiful and qhite cool so don't worry you can wear anything decent, shorts are ok. If you need more help regarding your india tour pls visit holiday club india .net bye and take care. enjoy

Hi, you don't need to be too panic. India is a beautiful country with good, polite & helping people. Though some may have a bitter experience but still if you respect their traditions, you will find Indian the most hospitable, warm & generous. Even for more information about do's & dont's you can use the followig link:
http://www.tsiindia.com/etiquette.html

All other general information about India while traveling to India can be found at:
http://www.tsiindia.com/ginfo.html

Wish you a memorable journey.

Hi ... I was surprised to read the section where it said 'Beef curry is out' since quite a bit of coastal India (west coast) is beef eating.. Would help to know which parts of India you going to be travelling ... Some general rules would be to avoid shorts in most places except Goa (bermudas would be okay)... Be wary of too friendly locals ... Watch who you give your contact details to ... Some temples follow rules like women not allowed, or head to be covered, etc... so you may be stopped here ... and watch the wallets since pickpoketing may be an issue in some cities... If you a single lady, I would not recommend you venture out after sundown on your own in most cities ...

Otherwise like I said if you could tell me your itinerary I could give you destination specific information ...

Ravi Shankar
Anantara Hospitality (www.anantara.in)

*Don't take pecils or sweets for the beggar children as it encourages this behaviour - instead make a donation to an organised charity.
*Give and take any items (money, food, etc) with the right hand, as the left hand is reserved for bathroom duties.
*Try not to touch anyone or books with your feet, and take off shoes before entering homes - some shops also request you to take shoes off.
*Don't touch people on the head, this can be really offensive.
*Don't blow your nose or brush your hair at the table in a restaurant or home, and don't use the water to rinse your hands unless it is a finger bowl for that purpose.
*Tip if you feel its deserved, if a service charge has not been added.
*It is expected for you to haggle when shopping - but do it with a smile and joke, and remember the balance between not wanting to be ripped off and that fact that the guy is trying to make a living.
*Remember P's and Q's - lthough Indians are less 'obviously' polite and can seem brusque, but it's not a rudeness thing.
*Dress modestly. Skirts and shorts need to be below the knee, shoulders covered, no acres of cleavage. Bollywood actresses are bollwood actresses, but some would look like sluts on a normal Indian street.
*PDA's...big no-no. even holding hands will have perves staring and storing that 'racy' image for later.

Have a great time!