India ??

[Shelby07]

It seems that I may (keyword "may") have an opportunity for a job that would involve quite a bit of travel to India. My experience in the business world has been entirely in the US. I know a lot of you travel extensively for work or pleasure. I am wondering what kinds of things I should know about traveling and doing business in that country.

I fully realize that when we travel to another culture we see it through our own eyes, not through the eyes or culture of the people who were raised and live there.

Any comments that might help me to prepare would be helpful.

[matthew261]

» It seems that I may (keyword "may") have an opportunity for a job that

» would involve quite a bit of travel to India. My experience in the

» business world has been entirely in the US. I know a lot of you travel

» extensively for work or pleasure. I am wondering what kinds of things I

» should know about traveling and doing business in that country.

»

» I fully realize that when we travel to another culture we see it through

» our own eyes, not through the eyes or culture of the people who were

» raised and live there.

»

» Any comments that might help me to prepare would be helpful.

I travel frequently outside the US and have spent some time in India as well as a great deal of time amongst East Indians in other countries. In the more modern sectors (Mumbai, formerly Bombay) you will experience people with very similar values and perspectives with which you are familiar. Although, you will also feel very crowded and you'd better like chicken because beef is rare (and I don't mean temperature). I always accept opportunities to travel to new places, and people are generally the same everywhere I go...most are pleasant and proud of their culture and thus want to share it in a positive way. My advice is jump at the chance, make friends with a local that enjoys the same things you do (food, wine, cigars, etc...) and hang on for the ride!

[El Presidente]

My experience is great people and great place. Indian business people are sharp as a tack. Take the opportunity as travel and international business is one of those things where you will mature 20 years in five, giving you a real advantage for the rest of your life.

[Ken Gargett]

have had a few trips there, business and pleasure, but not for a few years. absolutely loved it all. one of the most amazingly interesting and spectacular countries imaginable.

for business, depends a lot what you are doing and where you are.

delhi is a govt town, conservative and careful with money. mumbai is money, money, money. as an example, people in delhi tend to order from the wine list from the cheapest first. in mumbai, they don't care what it is, they want the most expensive. the two places are amazingly different.

travel around as much as possible, tough i think, like everywhere, it is far more dificult than it used to be. first time i went to the taj - a must, i really do think i is the most beautiful manmade structure on the planet - you could wander all over unchecked. next time, and this a decade ago, all sorts o restrictions and security checks.

if you get the chance to get to kashmir, go. might be the most beautiful place on earth, though bit dodgy now. varanasi also unbelieveably interesting. you'll love it, but it is crowded and hot. i found just heading out into the crowds great fun.

[Miami101]

Hi

Shelby07

It is great your are going to travel.....I love to travel...but have done so for two years now.;-)

I have traveled to lots of great locations for business. Some of these include Africa, Senegal, Congo, France, and UK. Also to other undisclosed locations in the world for business. It was great for me, and opened my mind to new things. Before I travel I always check out travel site like the FBI site, and make sure to have a backup on how your will get out of the country of something happens. For example when I was in Congo I was working on a deal with the government to gain access into local phone systems to be able to create a gateway for grey market VOIP phone calls. All was looking, and the country went into civil war. I had cross into another country via jungle to out of the country, and to avoid getting killed. Note the people in India are very nice people....

Miami101 Basic Rules to travel:

•Also get ready to pay off people….almost everyone wants a cut.

•Keep a small amount of money on you when you fly into the country.

•Keep large amounts of money hidden. If you wire money to you self are on guard.

•If you are bringing illegal items into the country have 20$ ready for the person checking your bags…..another 30$ for his boss if needed.

•Make sure you do not leave money at the hotel…….

•Also keep small bills in one pocket, and larger in another pocket…do not open your wallet in public. Remember no will have change.

•If you want to buy anything have a friend buy it for you…..make sure not to pay double…

•Make sure your pockets are not full of money, or look to have money…..low key is the goal.

•Be careful at the Air Port….if you have a point of contact person who can meet you great….ask him to have his uncle ready at your hotel at 6:00 AM….even if you need him at 8:00 AM. Note his uncle drives a taxi, and the cost you be around $10.00 a day…maybe $15.00……He should drive you all day…..you can give him a tip of $5.00 if you use him into the night.

•Be careful when you leave the hotel….via Taxi make sure no one is following you. If you are Walking good luck because you are going to have a group of people following you…..walk fast do not talk to them………….keep walking until you break free from them. Remember you are a mark at this point….once you are in the city you blend in.

•If you don’t have a friend….ask the door person from the hotel, or look for a kid across from the hotel to be your guild…..

•Weapons: easy way to buy is outdoor market….keep it wrap up like a present with a birth card for someone back home….make sure it fits in your bag….If you have guns keep it in another room. Always have a room under your name....with a connecting room under another name...stay in that room. Place bells, cans behind all doors, keep a chair behind your door also...room.....stay in the room under another name. Use your contact to get the second room. If they come to get you in this room...your contact need to die. Be sure to have an exit in mind.

•If you travel long distance hide large amounts of money…you know where…tape it your leg.. I was able to hide over 15,000…..tape it to my *&&&&*.

•If you travel to any location hide large amounts of money!

•If you get pulled over by police, guard, gun point…..be ready to pay them off…determine what a good payoff is….note I once paid off a police man in Africa with $.50, and another time it took $20.00…..but I got a beer out of it…Try to rent Taxi...not a nice car that stands out......In Russia driving a BMW out of town will cost you $50.00 payoff.......

[demiurgic]

Where are you going in India?

I have not been there in a decade but lived there for a few years, after a long one in Kuwait.

Like Prez said, Indian Business people are sharp as a tack. SO watch out there if you are going to wheel and deal.

India is definately one of those countries you will come to love because of it's raw life in action! Or hate because it's hellishly unequal in distribution of wealth, and the general state of affairs.

All in all, a bumpy roller coaster ride, imo.

[El Presidente]

Great read Miami

I remember when I was a corporate negotiator working in Asia and the sub continent. I was astounded the first time someone wanted a bribe to get a corporate deal through. Greenhorn status lasted 3 months ;-)

[gostgost]

Shelby,

A few years ago I and a few of other firefighters were asked to go to Calcutta for 3 weeks to train the firefighters out there and I have to tell you what an experince it was. We were treated like royality never once did I have to dig ino my pockets for money except when I made it a point that I was using my money to buy gifts.

We were feed great food and given the best of everything until it came to the firefighting equipment and training that was another story. I was totally shocked with their equipment or should I say lack of working equipment. It was unbelievable the first week we broke our asses just getting the equipment working.

I have to agree with everyone their are smart as a tack and a bunch of resoureful people.

All in all it was a great trip.

[Taino]

I think I saw the same movie as Miami, DO IT ALL!! it's very easy and makes your trip much more enjoyable.

I would like to add also that if you like "company" use Colt as your main contact and purveyor, code name "P-I-M-P"

[Shelby07]

Thank you all for your input. It sounds as if India may be a very pleasant country to be in. It will be quite an adventure since I have been retired for a few years. (For those who are thinking of retiring early, my advice is, don't do it! It's fun for a while, but after some time you will want to get back to work and start being productive again.)

I am really looking for more information on the cultural mindset of the people of India. I have traveled a bit in my career, not much, but I did notice that the cultural differences between the people of other countries was very different. Traveling as a tourist, I don't really worry about that, but in a business climate I need to understand the local cultural mindset.

I believe that most Americans who travel to other countries see it through their own eyes and experiences and come back with an American's point of view, which can be quite different than that of those who have grown up in the country.

Hope this makes sense...

[Colt45]

» I believe that most Americans who travel to other countries see it through

» their own eyes and experiences and come back with an American's point of

» view, which can be quite different than that of those who have grown up in

» the country.

In reality, how else is a person from any country expected to see things? If you mean Americans expect

things everywhere else to be like home, there are of course those types - in my opinion much

of that type of attitude has to do with upbringing.

But I truly feel that sells a great many U.S. citizens very short. I know many - myself included - who

feel that experiencing a different culture is one of the great aspects of international travel.

But by the same token, I never try to pretend to be something I'm not, especially to ingratiate myself

simply in order to try and fit in.

Have a great trip!

[Miami101]

Hard to say Shelby07...

Being American is a state of mind....if you talk to someone from the mid west they are very different from someone from Miami to someone from NY.....

In Miami everyone is from another country.....I have friends from all walks of life...you name it........you pick it. We all agree we are American 1st, but it is hard to break away from tradition......the funny thing is you start to take from everyone's country...

Example of Miami Life: Last Friday night I went with my Greek friends to a greek party....to then leave this party with my greek friend to meet up with my Bulgarian friends...that were happy to see me because I had the Cuban cigars, and dominos..........next day had to get up to go visit the buddhist temple......Also most of my friends are from a 3 world country.......less then five years and up in the US...

The big thing I have notice is in the US we like things to be in order, conform, new paint, order, control freedom, control smells, control what we see,etc...There looks to be change on the way...

[Punch Joe]

Lovely and fascinating country so I would take on the oportunity. I was gifted with a trip to India last year for 21 days. A colleague refused to go and I was appointed to represent my Co. I thank God for that , I am no believer though. Ken is fully right about the cities. I was in most of them, being Mumbai greener, and also less hot and the bay area is amazing. I stayed at the Oberoi but I walked the streets alone. People are very friendly and certainly not after your money. If you want to ride a rickshaw you will be charge wiith the highest fee, that´s bad but even for white Indians who were born there have to face that everyday. Mumbai is beautiful specially if you are into the Celebrities and Movie Scene, The food is great but you can easily get sick because of the spicy food and curry. Careful with the water. Get a bottle wiz u all hte time. Specially if going to Agra and visit the Taj. I couldn´t stand the heat. I arrived Delhi (one of the crowdest cities in the world) at midnight and it was 36 Celsius.:-) Suffocatting but you can get used to it. Next morning was 42. Next one, 45. Not easy. Some things like people sleepìn´on the sidewalks, children beggin´ or trying to sell stuff like useless magazines or souvenirs were sad things to see. I was happy to give away 10 bucks to a child but I got stop from doing so by my Indian friend telling me that it wouldn´t be worse. The money were going to end up in hands of somebody else not his since he was working for an adult. Try to make and build a true friendship with someone you can confide almost 100% and try to understand the country. I am dying to go one more time. You won´t regret it. Find a pic of me and the Taj.

[Shelby07]

Well, it took a while to work out the details, but we finally got it done. Got all my shots and my visa, and I'll be off next week. It's going to be strange after being retired for a few years, but I'm really looking forward to it. Wish me luck!

[Colt45]

Wish me luck!

I hope you have a fantastic experience!

Enjoy it, and be yourself

[sepp]

Wish me luck!

That is great Mark. Good Luck and have a great adventure.

glenn

PS If you need someone to baby sit the Shelby...

[Shelby07]

That is great Mark. Good Luck and have a great adventure.

glenn

PS If you need someone to baby sit the Shelby...

My son told me that was his responsibility and I didn't have a choice in the matter.

[anacostiakat]

Bad things happening in Mumbai right now. Terrorist Attack in Mumbai

[bolivr]

I hope you haven't already left Shelby, Give them a couple of weeks to cool down a little...

[El Presidente]

I hope you haven't already left Shelby, Give them a couple of weeks to cool down a little...

Shelby, I know it is a longshot that you are there att his time but let us know you are OK

[sje]

Lovely and fascinating country so I would take on the oportunity. I was gifted with a trip to India last year for 21 days. A colleague refused to go and I was appointed to represent my Co. I thank God for that , I am no believer though. Ken is fully right about the cities. I was in most of them, being Mumbai greener, and also less hot and the bay area is amazing. I stayed at the Oberoi but I walked the streets alone. People are very friendly and certainly not after your money. If you want to ride a rickshaw you will be charge wiith the highest fee, that´s bad but even for white Indians who were born there have to face that everyday. Mumbai is beautiful specially if you are into the Celebrities and Movie Scene, The food is great but you can easily get sick because of the spicy food and curry. Careful with the water. Get a bottle wiz u all hte time. Specially if going to Agra and visit the Taj. I couldn´t stand the heat. I arrived Delhi (one of the crowdest cities in the world) at midnight and it was 36 Celsius.:-) Suffocatting but you can get used to it. Next morning was 42. Next one, 45. Not easy. Some things like people sleepìn´on the sidewalks, children beggin´ or trying to sell stuff like useless magazines or souvenirs were sad things to see. I was happy to give away 10 bucks to a child but I got stop from doing so by my Indian friend telling me that it wouldn´t be worse. The money were going to end up in hands of somebody else not his since he was working for an adult. Try to make and build a true friendship with someone you can confide almost 100% and try to understand the country. I am dying to go one more time. You won´t regret it. Find a pic of me and the Taj.

now thats a classic picture Joe, a cuban in India (um australian in india) seems to be a man who loves and appreciates the world.

[sje]

Shelby, I know it is a longshot that you are there att his time but let us know you are OK

i see i am a little late on this one and i hope all is ok with Shelby.

indians as sharp as a tack, not a truer word spoken, always have something up your sleave wth any form of negotiation with Indians, they are purely volume driven and price is everything, at times price is more important than the quality.

so my suggestion is always have something up your sleave, even once the deal is signed they will ask and expect more.

the AU version of business get eaten alive when doing business with indians, (remember they have been trading for centuries)

spiro

[Shelby07]

Shelby, I know it is a longshot that you are there att his time but let us know you are OK

Haven't left yet. The plan is to leave on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Not the best timing with what is going on in Mumbai, but I'll be flying into New Delhi then driving up to Haridwar so I'll be far away from the current hotspot. It's certainly in the back of my mind but I think I'll be ok. Thanks for the concern. I'll keep you posted as best I can.

[cabaiguan juan]

I bet by then, India will be the safest place in that section of the world. No one lets that crap happen and doesn't tight-up a little bit.

[broozer]

one thing i might add to traveling all over the world is this: act like you are supposed to be where you are at any given moment. when i see people on my travels that are looking around and are unsure of where they are............they are the ones that look out of place and in my opinion they look like a target for criminals. i always walk confidently and act like a local no matter where i'm at on the planet.

bruce