Delhi or Dilli is India’s first city. Delhi scores much better than all other Indian cities in terms of global connectivity and urban infrastructure. Several expats have chosen to live in Delhi and are doing flourishing business. Also, we have the returned NRIs who have moved to Delhi and its suburbs of Noida and Gurgaon.
Expats who have been doing business here have interesting insights about the way Indians work and how to survive the weather and beat the traffic. Here are select tips from expats living in Delhi that will help you make a start:
Ignore the personal questions
The majority opinion is that Indians are friendly and helpful, but ‘they have no sense of privacy. They stare and they ask personal questions the first time they meet you’. The best way forward is to just ignore those queries or turn down the request politely.
Protest Loudly
This is specifically applicable to those who do business. You need to ‘protest loudly. Do not accept shoddy work, and stand firm’.
Cultivate the habit of being patient
You need loads of patience and tolerance to survive in Delhi or India for that matter. ‘Have a lot of patience. Nothing works the way it is supposed. It all takes a lot of time’. You must be organised and systematic unlike your business associates ‘Indians are much less organised. They take things easy’. It is difficult to adjust to this attitude but the sooner you understand this, the better it is for you.
Ignore those stares
This is the worst about Indian men. ‘Men just stare at you in Delhi, they brush past you deliberately, and it is difficult to ignore’. Move in groups or with colleagues and train yourself to ignore those stares.
Keep to your social groups
It is good to be in touch with the expat community and interact with your own circle of friends and acquaintances. ‘The Delhites are very concerned with social standings and do not welcome “outsiders” into their social groups’. You may find it difficult to accept the nose in the air attitudes and the personal questions. They are a curious lot and ‘in parties they form cliques, where others are not welcome and are not spoken to’. Exceptions are always there but that is if you are lucky and meet the right people.
Enjoy Delhi’s cultural life
This is a must do. Delhi is the best city to enjoy Indian culture. Festivals and shows - theatres, art, music, food handicraft, and textiles- happen all through the year. You can get a feel of the diversity and rich cultural heritage of India.
Stick to your business
Business is not easy especially as many expats feel that Indians ‘are not very reliable’ as business associates. One must take all basic precautionary steps to ensure physical and financial security.
Adapt to the weather
‘For 7 months Delhi is uncomfortably hot’ and for many ‘environmental factors rank very high’ on ‘list of dislikes’. Delhi is best in the winters. October to February are good months to be in the city. ‘One is much more conscious of one's environment in Delhi, and the ongoing battle to insulate yourself from extremes can be exhausting’. You must be geared up to beat the summer heat and tolerate the dust.
Make security a top priority
It is important from the security perspective to double check on whom you hire for support services. Domestic help and drivers should be hired through recommendations from expat groups or associations. Always have all contact information handy and do not hand over charge completely. Women need to be very careful when travelling alone in cabs or driving alone late night. You must carry your mobile and not indulge in drinking or eating with strangers.
Shop for all things Indian
Delhi is as expensive as any other global city. Expenses on home, school and clubs are in correlation to to social standings and residential locations. It is the best place in the India for shopping Indian clothes, arts and crafts. You have the best products from all over the country available here.
Get away on weekends
‘Getting away pretty frequently is important’ to survive the pressures and rush of Delhi life. You can explore Delhi and interesting destinations on weekends or plan short trips. Delhi has good road, rail and air connectivity to some popular holiday destinations.
The Delhi expat survival guide was published in 2007 and is one of our popular eProducts.
The 2009 version is updated and includes all regular information on home, schools, recreation, hospitals, taxation, daily living, security, information resources, work culture and much more. The suggestions from expat and NRI readers have been incorporated with more FAQs ranging from pets and vets, clothing, shopping hot spots, costs of travelling, dining out and more.
If you can’t find what you are looking for or need something more specific. Let us know! We have a dedicated panel of experts and researchers, who would be able to provide you a report tailor made to your needs.
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