| LATITUDE:12
8' North LONGITUDE:77
37' East
ALTITUDE:3000
feet above Sea Level
AREA:368
Square Kilometers
CLIMATE:Temperate
and Salubrious
SEASON:OCTOBER
- MARCH Mild and Salubrious climate
RAINFALL:940
mm
POPULATION:6,218,000
LANGUAGE:
Kannada
LITERACY:75.42%
GREEN COVER:
40%
Bargaining
When buying in bulk, ask for discount - shopkeepers do oblige. Otherwise, fixed price is
(sadly) the convention. When buying from roadside or hawkers cut down the price at least
by 25 to 40%. These guys generally over price the items.
Phones
Carry a lots of Rs.1/- coins for pay phones. Or look for the"STD/ISD" signs. Pay
per computer printout. The GPO (posts) and the CTO (phones) on Cubbon road are efficient
and open from 10.00 - 19.00 hours from Monday to Saturday and till 13.30 hours on Sun.
Dress
Informal. Skimpily dressed women(no matter how normal by western standards) will be stared
at. Wear jeans or skirts and you won't feel uncomfortable unless you are very beautiful.
Suits for business meetings.
Etiquette
Bangaloreans are informal. But in some homes you must take off your shoes before entering.
A pile of shoes at the front door is a good indication. No footwear in temples.
Invitations
It is fashionable to be late in Bangalore. If you are invited at 8 PM, it's expected won't
arrive till 9 PM. Wine(extremely expensive) is not commonly drunk. Mixed drinks are
popular. People generally drink until dinner is served(often not till midnight). Good idea
to grab a bite before you go. Dinner also signals the end of the party. So it isn't
impolite to eat and run.
Eating
Out
Bars close at 11 PM(last orders by 10.30 PM). Some restaurants stay open till midnight.
Eating out after pub closing is best in a 24 hour coffee shop in bigger hotels.
Health
Drink mineral water or aerated drinks(or beer). Toilet paper may not be always available.
So carry a roll.
Beggars
Instead of giving them money, give them edibles like cookies or bananas.
Crime
Bangalore is relatively safe. The police confirm that organised crime is minuscule. Still,
be careful. Don't flash wads of notes. If in doubt, check routes in advance. Leave
valuables/passports in the hotel safe... or with someone reliable and safe.
|
