Chennai 101 :D

RANDOM tips from my 2 week experience in Chennai.

note: please do not take this all to heart. not the expert quite yet.

-do not nod your head here. no one will understand, instead, master the art of "bobbing" your head. want a visual? observe a bobble-head toy that you might stick at the front of your car.

-eat with your right hand, left hand = improper

-bring toilet paper with you everywhere

-watch out for green papers that cleverly disguise themselves as stringed beans

-you can't escape the hint of indian spices, even in american chain restaurants here

-expect small dessert portions

-bargain with auto drivers, they don't use the meter here (autos = 3 wheeled mini-taxi-like cars that sound like a wind up toy)

-look both ways before you cross the street AND while you're crossing the street, i've had too many life-threatening encounters with traffic

-if you don't look indian, prepare for stares

-smiles speak a lot

-walking barefoot in a professional setting is considered respectful

-trust the waiter/waitress if he/she says SPICY.

-try a mango

-if you normally don't like coffee, you may like it here...no bitter taste at all!

-my staple phrase whenever i don't know what else to say, "vanakam!!" which means, "good day!"

THE END! :) hehe hope you learned something :D until next time!!