Top 5 tips to live in India

Hi,

When you are going to live abroad, you may have a lot of questions. Hence to facilitate you in this process, we are inviting expats to share their top 5 tips with regards to settling and living in India.

What recommendations would you give soon-to-be expats in India?

How should they prepare efficiently for their expatriation project and settling in?

Please share with us your best advice for a successful expatriation in India!

Thank you in advance :)

1) Make an effort to understand the local culture and respect it, even if you don't always agree with certain customs.  There is really nothing that is more important for your own success, safety, happiness and well-being.
2) Learn at least the basics of the local language. Even a few dozen words and phrases will enrich your experience tremendously.
3) Make friends with your local neighbors. Don't limit your social life to other expats.
4) Dress appropriately. In business, take your cues from your associates and dress at least as well. For women, whether you wear Western clothes or Indian, be sure that they meet the local standards of modesty—this is an essential aspect of respecting the culture! Men should also take note of how local men dress. If, for instance, they never wear shorts or go shirtless in public, people will laugh at you behind your back if you do.
5) Cultivate a sense of humor—not to laugh at people around you, but to laugh at yourself and the situations you find yourself in. If you take everything too seriously, you won't enjoy your time in India.

Having been in this situation personally, here are a few tips from a foreigner who moved to India:

1 - Patience, everything takes so much longer in India and there is so much paperwork
2-  Indian's do not like to say NO and therefore they will help, guide or direct you no matter if they know the correct answer or not. This led me around in circles too many times to count.
3- Accept invitations. Indians love to invite new-combers to weddings, festivals, etc. Accept and be grateful.
4- Do some research on Indian holidays and festivals both locally in the state you are living in as well as Nationally. This effort will be rewarded and appreciated.
5 - Dress appropriately, regardless of the heat and humidity.

Also, give India a chance. At first everything is really exciting and new and soon the day to day becomes less glamorous and you are left sometimes with comparisons (at home it's like this, etc) and I recommend you give yourself and India a chance for at least 6 months.

1. Negotiate in all financial deals. Auto-rickshaws and taxi drivers may ask way too high charges than to locals. Ask the driver to turn on the meter and agree to pay 10 or 20 bucks extra. Otherwise you need to walk :(

2. Be careful with street vendors. You may find series of shops in local markets. Ask for the prices before you agree to purchase and negotiate 20% and make a deal 10% to 15%. Never buy anything the price offered unless its a brand and reputed product which you will get a printed bill.

3. Choose a living place carefully. Don't choose a 20 stories flat in mid of the city if you jog, surf daily or have a pet. You can find places near beaches, tourist spots, individual houses for rental any where in the city.

4. If you dont cook, make sure you live near by good and variety of hotels. You can hire a local cook if you want to eat home cooked hygienic food.

5. You dont have to depend on navigators in any major cities. You can ask lift if you dont have a vehicle. People will always offer help here.