The Indian psyche and road use tips..

What are the Indian people like?
They come in many varieties.... very humble and helpful (the majority), scheming (the minority in the hardcore tourist areas). Quiet and shy or loud and in your face. Very very poor, poor, middle class and rich. The 'normal' Indians (i.e. not the touts) are truly wonderful people. I have been shown so much generosity by people who have very little to give.

They are so interested in westerners, particularly the English. A lot of them simply want to be photographed with you so that they can impress their friends. But they are also very open and inquisitive - asking lots of questions about your life, job, family etc. They also have an incredible sense of humour. I've had such a good laugh with them and they are not sensitive, so I'm able to suggest they are storing beer in their flasks rather than baby milk. They love to joke with you and do not take themselves seriously at all.


It's difficult to describe how hard life must be for some of them. A lot of them live on the streets, where in the north of India, overnight temperatures must be close to zero. Some of them have have no possessions, other than the rags they are wearing and food must be very scarce as they are very under nourished. But are they unhappy? Well some of them look beaten and lost. But others look very happy - it's humbling when they give you a big smile.

They are a very honest people. I've never felt that my possessions are at risk of being stolen. I was on a train and someone dropped some coins on the floor. There were 3 ladies with a baby sitting on the floor of the very busy carriage and they scooped up the coins and offered them to the nearest person thinking he had dropped them. He said it wasn't him. They kept hold of the coins until a person more deserving than themselves appeared in the carriage and promptly gave the coins to them. Even the poor Indians look after the really poor.

Of course India is in the middle of economic boom and there are signs that prosperity is coming here. Malls are opening and many people have money to spend on western style possessions. The rich are getting richer but that creates an even bigger gap between the have's and have nots. I'm not at all convinced that this will make them happier, but who am I to judge this?!

To all the Indian people I've met - I wish you well.


Now for some fun....

10 tips for road use:


1. All rules relating to driving may be disregarded
2. Priority should be given in the following order:
Cows
Cows
3. Drive on the left, unless you'd rather drive on the right
4. Roundabouts are merely an obstacle to be driven around - in any direction which suits you
5. Traffic already on the roundabout has priority
6. Traffic joining the roundabout has priority
7. Avoid knocking down pedestrians and animals - it's bad karma
8. Use of the horn is compulsory. Often. Anytime of the day or night. Fit an ear screeching after market horn if not fitted as standard.
9. Pedestrians must not look sideways when crossing the road. You will be driven around.
10. Traffic lights - treated as a form of street decoration and to be ignored unless sited next to a policeman with a loud whistle.

Having said all of the above, it all seems to work remarkably well with little evidence of accidents!!!