Your first journey to India is the big unknown: what to expect? The Indian culture is different compared to the culture in the USA or any other place for that matter. With a little bit of preparation and understanding, you will have a journey of a lifetime. Here are 21 tips to help you ease into the Indian culture.

1. Most Indian people are friendly and even curious towards foreigners. It may happen that some school children stare at you. It is curiosity because they may have never seen a foreigner before. Just smile, wave your hand and say hello. They usually laugh and giggle, and carry on. Some are adventures and ask your name or where you are from.
2. Some locals may invite you to their home. This is not necessarily to be taken literally. Its a way of saying, Nice meeting you.
3. India still has many local mom and pop shops. Most of the shop owners speak a little English, just enough to get you what you want. Tip: Speak slowly. Use keywords, think Google, instead of complete sentences. It is helpful and gets you what you want. Use sign language or ask someone to translate.
4. The overall pace in India is slow. Be patient. All works out in due time.
5. Don’t demand anything. It is considered rude. A friendly tone always brings you the furthest.
6. Indians love bargaining. Its ok to pay 10 or 20% less. Bargaining for food is not recommended.
7. Traditionally Indians don’t shake hands but with the Western influence they started doing it. Yet an Indian handshake is what we consider a dead fish. Avoid it if you can and don’t use a hand-crusher either. Instead fold your hands in front of your chest and say ‘Namaste’ as a greeting or say ‘Thank You’ this way.
8. Be open and go with the flow. Remember it is a different culture, not better or worse but just different. Whatever Westerners see as outdated has worked for Indians for ages and it has still value today.
9. No matter how hard you may try to avoid it, diarrhea in India is almost not avoidable. Do drink only bottled water. Filtered water may not be as filtered as we need it. It is recommended to brush your teeth with bottled water too. Best is to consume only cooked food and avoid raw food like salads. Ice cream is not recommended.
10. The climate in South India is warm to hot. Winter months are the time when foreigners come to visit as the temperature goes down; yet it is never cold. If you are very sensitive to cold, you may bring a shawl.
11. Hygiene standards are different in India. Men use the street corner or the drainage canal to urinate. Public toilets are not common except at a bus stand. Indian toilets are a porcelain covered hole in the floor. Hotels usually have Western style toilets. Toilet paper is unheard of unless you are in a tourist area. Good hotels provide toilet paper. Just in case, carry some toilet paper in your purse.
12. You likely will experience close encounters with animals like peacocks, monkeys, dogs, and cows. Be cautious. Monkeys snatch plastic bags with bananas or food you carry in your hand. Don’t resist, let it go. Remember, they are wild animals. Dogs are mostly shy but follow you if you start feeding them. Petting cows is not advised; they may poke you with their horns.
13. Evenings is mosquito time. Herbal based mosquito repellents are easily available.
14. As a foreigner you are rich in the mind of most Indians. Beggars often ask for RS 10 for a cup of tea. Use your sound judgment when giving money. Shop owners, rickshaw drivers, and landlords love overcharging foreigners. Get a good feel for it and compare prices. Bargaining except for food is common. Let the other person have the last word. It makes them feel good. This in turn makes us feel good.
15. When there are festivals, large crowds of people come into town and spend time at the temple or walking around the holy mountain of Arunachala.
16. Slippers get lost or mixed up. Be prepared to bring some extra pairs or get them locally.
17. Showing physical affection between opposite genders is a no-no though same sex gender holding hands is accepted.
18. Young girls are protected and often married at a young age; gents, please don’t mess with them.
19. India has a diversity of religions. You will meet Hindus, Buddhist, Jains, Christians, Muslims, and some other religious minority groups. There is a general acceptance of all religious faith.
20. F-words and such are not appreciated neither loud or obnoxious behavior.
21. Though smoking by men is accepted in public, drinking alcohol is a private affair.

Key is to be open, friendly, and accepting. We are the guests. It is not our country.

In the comments below share your experience going to India for the first time. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

Ma Udaysree has lived in South India for six years and is the organizer of Sacred Temple Journeys. She offers small group spiritual temple journeys to Tiruvannamalai, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Bidadi, and other places in South India. Udaysree is the author of ‘Living at Arunachala.’