Avoiding getting ripped off in India--shoping the smart way!!!

When I got here to India I came so frightened about being flooded by people asking my to buy stuff. I was ready to put my ear plugs and let the Indians just talk their hearts out. This with no doubt happens no matter who you are. You can be Indian, American, Nepalese etc. You will still get your dose of Rickshaw Sr. Rickshaw. You will hear this a lot, very often. Also, India is know for its elaborate scams and for Indians taking advantage of you. Many people end up paying double, triple, or even four times the actual price of the item. This did not happen to me all that often because I somewhat look like may things. Indian,Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, Filipino, Nepalese, even Japanese, but never Mexican. How weird is that? Anyway, getting ripped off is something you have to deal in India and that is that. As they say hate the game and not the player. Indians are just try to make a living out of our stupidity. I got so annoyed to see so many people get ripped off in India that I have come up with a good system that will get you close to a more acceptable price.So here are the rules for this game and how to avoid becoming a statistic.1. It is sad, but always take it as fact that Indians have the upper hand.2. If you see something you like, make sure you actually like it and make some research on what it is that you are buying. For example, silk is a very good example. When you are trying to get silk you must know how to tell silk from other similar textiles. Lear its characteristics before hand. If in doubt, I think silk smells like burnt hair if you burn it. Not many other textiles do, except wool, but wool is not as fine as silk. 3. Indians will always invite you to come into their shop even if there isn't one. They will tell you to come and just see. "You don't have to buy anything." they will say. Come as friends and leave as friends they will say. It is up to you to stay or go, but it is from here where the pressure starts. They give you a lot of good looking stuff and I mean it is pleasing for the eye and they will make sure you want to buy stuff you probably don't even need. Then they will throw some prices at you that will be really high. I mean really high so here is what I usually do. If I like what I see, I say an amount about a third of the asking price.a) If the guy laughs at you, it meas that your price is ridiculous, but does not mean that you could not push and see if he actually sells you the thing.b) If he nods and gives you the item, then you have reached an agreement.c) If the guys doesn't laugh but actually seems a little agitated, that means that the price is ridiculous and you are going to have to bargain some more. For this you have to stay for a while and have lots of patience and not get scared about having a slightly loud conversation. The guy my just scream a bit and ask you to go higher, then you go just a few Rupees at a time until you get the price that you want.In general, if the guy you are dealing with goes on his way laughing or happy. That usually means that Yes, you have been officially been ripped off. If the guy goes a little angry that means you got a good deal. For the Rickshaws, they will give you a very ridiculous price and you will read in advance or ask about what is the going rate for the trip you may want to take.If the Rickshaw, is to expensive and you want to go. You have to invoke your child spirit and throw a fit. Yes, that is right! It not always works, but throwing a fit in India may get you a better price. Not all the time, but sometimes. I love this game and have learned to deal with it. I hope when you came or if you came to India can relate to this...I find it pretty awesome.

India wants to see you dead!!!

Hello Dear friends,

As I Travel in India there are many aspects that I like and others that I absolutely and with no doubt hate. No matter how much I try to avoid the dirt, the half dead dogs, the stomachache with the heavy cramps, the beggars, the sickness, they are always there. This experiences really makes you appreciate health. If you are in India, you will definitely get sick at one point--It is just a matter of when. A couple of weeks ago, I caught the wost cough I have ever had. I was laying on bed and could not breathe because my lungs were completely stuffed with who knows what. My eyes teared the whole night. This is something that I have never experienced. I must say that I got a bit worried. In fact, as we were eating dinner with a few friends in a restaurant in Calcutta, everyone was saying mentioning how they had stomachache, cold, diarrhea, or something. I was so annoyed with my cold that I told them " India wants to see you dead." They laughed at me and I felt so silly because I was exaggerating a little. This line become the joke of the week and I couldn't help but to accept how silly I was.

Once you get over the" India wants to see you dead" feeling you can go on and enjoy what India is really about. I love taking the trains and talking to people. I have learned a great deal from other travelers and their patience. Sometimes when I am dealing with someone who is really difficult and when I am about to snap, I see other traveler dealing with the same person and his/her face is very serene. That has helped me to somewhat control my impulsiveness. You need a little patience when you are traveling in the trains because Indians want to ask you about everything.

Like I said, trains have become my favorite activity. In India, you can take the first or second class train or the third class. I have traveled once in first class, but I prefer second class. One because it is cheaper and two because it is a bit more interesting. My trip in the first class train was really eye opening because here is where you see the prosper Indian. The ticket price is doubled and the people in the first class seem more refined.

In the second class, it is different because you can deal your sit if you don't like it. There a wider variety of smells and sounds. In the second class train you usually get woken up at around four or five in the morning by the sound of annoying voice saying Chai, Chai, Chai and then another saying Canebole, Canebole(food man). This absolutely did not happen in the first class train. This is the only thing that makes me angry in the train.

However, in the second class people are more wiling to chat, sing, play games, and share food(something that the guides recommend to avoid, and you should). For example on my way to Varanasi, I was traveling with a mix of foreigners and locals. With this group, I ended up singing, and playing a strange game that is played with the fingers. You eliminate players as you go along and the player who gets out last gets a good hand beating. Trust me it is fun. This story will continue.....