I have never worked abroad before. I will be staying in a hotel with three colleagues. I would like to ask people who may have experience in working in India for any practical advice they can offer. All suggestions more than welcome. I will be working in either Pune or Mumbai until end of November. Oh I am 22 year old white male. I only speak English however it is an English speaking office for a major UK company. Any help more than welcome
Other - India - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Well just like with going anywhere out of the country........don't drink their water. Enjoy your trip. :)
2 :
You shouldnt have any problem if u are in Bombay or Pune. Just make sure that someone comes to pick u up when u land in the middle of the night or have a pre-paid taxi service. Otherwise, u will get ripped off! Also, be careful if u are going in public transportation as ur pockets may be picked! As usual, if u have normal caution (travelling during the nights etc) u should be okay. If anyone tries to start a quarrel with u (mostly when they are drunk in a pub, bar etc), just walk off! PLease dont escalate the issue!
3 :
You should be fine and 99% you will enjoy your trip and work and you can have fun. However, you need to exercise caution for your own protection; and this is almost the same when you go visit any other place including Paris and New Zealand. It is important which city you are visiting and which hotel you are staying! I would recommend that: - Gain as much knowledge about the city you will working in from internet, from your company where you will be working and from library if possible. - Always drink branded mineral water from a good store. - Be careful about your wallet while walking in public places, while using public transportation. I carry 2 wallets. The main wallet is in a secured pouch that I wear inside instead placing that in back pocket or side pocket. The second wallet that I carry in back pocket has few currency notes and coins so that I need not pull out the main wallet every single occassion. This way I try to avoid risking any credit card or ID card - Keep a clean visible photocopy of all credit cards, Photo IDs, etc. at your residence in case required. - Move with known people and do not hand out at late night unncessarily unless you know who you are with. - Visiting Bar: visit at least 3-4 star bars and you should have no issue. - Foods are spicy in general, and could be more spicy for you, so be careful. Have some known medicine with you to help for any stomach upset, etc. - And stay away from street girls or women in night. This is modern risk especially in night in any metro cities.
4 :
Come with an open mind, not with a mental block. It Will be a massive cultural shock,but you'll get over it. Mumbai and Pune are decent cities. Mumbai of course is the most happening city in India, but it's no match to what you are used too. India has a lot to offer. You'll find people very friendly. Some will try to show that they are as good as you if not better. Others will be in total awe of you.
5 :
try to live in hot weather and try to eat spicy food from now ... and you are an english speaker, you're not gonna have any problems in communications... mumbai is the most popular city in india...and pune is very beautiful..u r so lucky u're going india...i miss my india sooo much :[ anyways..good luck
6 :
First I would advise you not to take the job and second bring your rain gear. It will be monsoons then. Every year people die in Mumbai because of the flooding there. Also understand there is no such thing as an honest Indian. 'Talk' is very cheap in India but they can never do what they say. There are no ethics in India as well as no 'work ethics'. These people are very lazy. You will be viewed as only a source of money. There will be scores of scams run on you in the time you will be here (They have spent 1000s of year mastering this process). Be polite and nice but do not try to make friends. A friend to an India is someone they can rip off without negative repercussions. Do not ever touch food with your left hand or ever hand someone anything with it. Do not give money to anyone for any reason because as soon as it leaves your hand it is gone. Do NOT support 'begging'. A new law was passed just a few months ago making it illegal to beg.
