Expat life in Dehli.
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Expat life in Dehli.
Possibley coming out to India in August to work. Any Ex pats around with some advice or willing to chat privately about do's and don'ts of India.
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Does it matter?
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new delhi
The Indians idea of good accomidation is so different from what we consider acceptable. So makesure you have a good contract for your housing and check it out first before you accept. ALways boil the water, even if it is filtered if you are going to drink it or brush your teeth. India is very noisy in the congeted areas, another fact. I always found that the Indians would try to bend the rules in their favor as much as they could.
Cheap to live though.
Cheers
Cheap to live though.
Cheers
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Boil the water??
The only way to be absolutely sure your water is safe to consume is "steam distillation" in any country you are not sure about. If you have seen the rubbish at the bottom of my still you would agree. Even the remains of bottled "drinking" water would surprise you.
So keeping in mind your best asset is your health, get yourself a small electric still and make sure the company pay for all amenities.
The only way to be absolutely sure your water is safe to consume is "steam distillation" in any country you are not sure about. If you have seen the rubbish at the bottom of my still you would agree. Even the remains of bottled "drinking" water would surprise you.
So keeping in mind your best asset is your health, get yourself a small electric still and make sure the company pay for all amenities.
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Yes who you fly for is important with full support or you are on your own. I have been in India for the last 18 months
Renting on your oen could be very expensive. You have to pay one month rent to realtor and if you have a furnished place up to 6 months deposit. Penalty if you cancel lease and good luck to have your 6 months deposit.
Also a good company will provide a facilitator any time you have to renew your visa or trip to the FRRO and even for your medical.
When you look for a place inquire about water supply. Some very expensive societies have a very bad reputation you are in a shower and water flow stop sometimes for two days. Water is tankered by truck
For electricity look for inverter or generator back up. How much power will be available from the generator. Thursday is electrical fix and on occasions there was no electricity for 12 hours. Inquire about the quality of the electrical grid in your area
Fruits and vegetables are outstanding and you have access to meat and fish. Numerous stores cater for expat and you can find almost the same food as in US or Canada at an inflated price. Lot of restaurants to eat for decent price. Booze is very expensive
Dental care is very cheap. Laser is available to fix dental decay and many expat have work done in India.
Medical care is also available. You need an MRI cost is 6000Rpe around $150US. Visit with a specialist neurosurgeon 600Rpe $15US and medical prescription almost nothing compared to US or Canada
Weather for flying is almost 9 months VFR except for DEL in Dec and Jan where cat III are required. Then there is the monsoom for tho or three months. It is almost the end of the world for Indian pilots. But if you flew in US or Canada you are used to fly with TRW and some low clouds and there is no problem. You have all time an alternate and I was never an issue to request extra fuel however with a written reason. Also you can expect to land all the time at MGW you should see all the cargo that goes in the plane
Check for pay deposit in your account. Is it there as scheduled or is it delayed
Medical with the Air Force is a nightmare. Be very careful with what you mention, a non-issue with proper medication approved by ICAO, TC, CAA, FAA could turn into a inquisition. Basically IAF claims that indian pilots do not take medication and have a very high standard of health. Lot of crap as everything in India it is lies and deception Indian pilots keep everything as a secret to the IAF doctor
Have fun
Renting on your oen could be very expensive. You have to pay one month rent to realtor and if you have a furnished place up to 6 months deposit. Penalty if you cancel lease and good luck to have your 6 months deposit.
Also a good company will provide a facilitator any time you have to renew your visa or trip to the FRRO and even for your medical.
When you look for a place inquire about water supply. Some very expensive societies have a very bad reputation you are in a shower and water flow stop sometimes for two days. Water is tankered by truck
For electricity look for inverter or generator back up. How much power will be available from the generator. Thursday is electrical fix and on occasions there was no electricity for 12 hours. Inquire about the quality of the electrical grid in your area
Fruits and vegetables are outstanding and you have access to meat and fish. Numerous stores cater for expat and you can find almost the same food as in US or Canada at an inflated price. Lot of restaurants to eat for decent price. Booze is very expensive
Dental care is very cheap. Laser is available to fix dental decay and many expat have work done in India.
Medical care is also available. You need an MRI cost is 6000Rpe around $150US. Visit with a specialist neurosurgeon 600Rpe $15US and medical prescription almost nothing compared to US or Canada
Weather for flying is almost 9 months VFR except for DEL in Dec and Jan where cat III are required. Then there is the monsoom for tho or three months. It is almost the end of the world for Indian pilots. But if you flew in US or Canada you are used to fly with TRW and some low clouds and there is no problem. You have all time an alternate and I was never an issue to request extra fuel however with a written reason. Also you can expect to land all the time at MGW you should see all the cargo that goes in the plane
Check for pay deposit in your account. Is it there as scheduled or is it delayed
Medical with the Air Force is a nightmare. Be very careful with what you mention, a non-issue with proper medication approved by ICAO, TC, CAA, FAA could turn into a inquisition. Basically IAF claims that indian pilots do not take medication and have a very high standard of health. Lot of crap as everything in India it is lies and deception Indian pilots keep everything as a secret to the IAF doctor
Have fun
Check this out
check out the lighter side of flying in India. Not for the faint hearted, but if you keep your sense of humour about you, you'll have a great time.
http://www.pprune.org/south-asia-far...nent-when.html
http://www.pprune.org/south-asia-far...nent-when.html
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Thankyou for your inputs
Hey thanks for the inputs.
Can tell you that i have to find my own accommodation but get a fairly decent living allowance to cover the cost. So thanks for all the pointers on what to look out for.
I currently fly in the UK/Europe so used to a very wide variety of weather, also to rapidly changing weather forecasts lol.
Awaiting my security clearance then an invite to apply for the work visa. I understand that the security clearance takes 4-6 weeks, then I will have to apply for the work visa. its a nervous time.
Can anyone explain the process for UK ATPL holders to convert their licence and what type of induction course, conversion to company SOP's to expect.
Will try to check back for replies more often.
Tom
Can tell you that i have to find my own accommodation but get a fairly decent living allowance to cover the cost. So thanks for all the pointers on what to look out for.
I currently fly in the UK/Europe so used to a very wide variety of weather, also to rapidly changing weather forecasts lol.
Awaiting my security clearance then an invite to apply for the work visa. I understand that the security clearance takes 4-6 weeks, then I will have to apply for the work visa. its a nervous time.
Can anyone explain the process for UK ATPL holders to convert their licence and what type of induction course, conversion to company SOP's to expect.
Will try to check back for replies more often.
Tom
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Thats not going to be fun getting your own place, especially with landlords wanting a deposit of up to 12 mths rent!
Also some advice regarding the medical as you have a JAA license, be careful, if you fail the India medical you legally lose your JAA medical from what I understand! Look into this and make sure you can pass the blood tests, stress test, and the ultrasound.
I would recommend you staying in a hotel or guest house until the FATA exam is passed, I notice a lot of people are failing now. I think its 2 fails and you are out, plus after you fail the first time you are grounded. You might only be here for a couple of months!.
I have no idea of the content, I have been trying to get info on it for a new pilot we are getting , when I did it was very dodgy and you did it in pencil on a very suspicious exam paper in the DGCA office but that was years ago and times have changed where its now computerized, but alas no syllabus is provided!
Also some advice regarding the medical as you have a JAA license, be careful, if you fail the India medical you legally lose your JAA medical from what I understand! Look into this and make sure you can pass the blood tests, stress test, and the ultrasound.
I would recommend you staying in a hotel or guest house until the FATA exam is passed, I notice a lot of people are failing now. I think its 2 fails and you are out, plus after you fail the first time you are grounded. You might only be here for a couple of months!.
I have no idea of the content, I have been trying to get info on it for a new pilot we are getting , when I did it was very dodgy and you did it in pencil on a very suspicious exam paper in the DGCA office but that was years ago and times have changed where its now computerized, but alas no syllabus is provided!
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Indian Medical
thank you for the heads up. just passed a JAA medical renewal. With ECG and blood test. Will check out the Indian requirement. No known problems with my health, my weight and fitness level are good.
Regards accomodation, I will get temporary accomodation and then look into it more once I'm there.
What exams are the FATA exams and where do you sit them?
What is the FRRO?
Thanks.
Regards accomodation, I will get temporary accomodation and then look into it more once I'm there.
What exams are the FATA exams and where do you sit them?
What is the FRRO?
Thanks.
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Broken is correct in what he suggests
The pass criterion for the Indian Air Force medical pass, is not available to the general public. Therefore it is secret. If it is secret, it is sinister.
This imbecilic directive for the medical examination is to assist in the weeding out of expats. Get yourself through the medical examination before you do anything else.
My advice is to go somewhere else for work.
The pass criterion for the Indian Air Force medical pass, is not available to the general public. Therefore it is secret. If it is secret, it is sinister.
This imbecilic directive for the medical examination is to assist in the weeding out of expats. Get yourself through the medical examination before you do anything else.
My advice is to go somewhere else for work.
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The FATA exam is a kinda airlaw exam all expats must do within 3 mths to validate your license, first step is the medical and the initial oral exam on your company ops manual and they visually check your licenses and logbooks. After this your company will organise a date for your fata exam. When I did it, it was stupid, and if I hadnt of been able to get a hold of some previous leaked papers I wouldnt have passed, it had stupid questions in it, like for a Helicopter pilot licensing requirements! If you fail your first attempt, you have to stop flying, if you fail a second time you are out of the country.
FRRO, is the foreigners registration office, dont know about Delhi but in Kolkata its a hideous place that stinks of dirty socks! You go there to register your presence in the country and they issue you this little blue book made of rice paper, its a strange thing that appears to have no purpose but to keep people employed!
I have known 2 JAA Class 1 medical holders that have failed the Indian DGCA exam, if you are sent to Delhi for this exam , then dont expect to pass easily if at all!
FRRO, is the foreigners registration office, dont know about Delhi but in Kolkata its a hideous place that stinks of dirty socks! You go there to register your presence in the country and they issue you this little blue book made of rice paper, its a strange thing that appears to have no purpose but to keep people employed!
I have known 2 JAA Class 1 medical holders that have failed the Indian DGCA exam, if you are sent to Delhi for this exam , then dont expect to pass easily if at all!
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Itsbroken....
Some of your information is not correct, you can take the exam more than two times I know of people who have more times than two.
Medical is not done on arrival but to extend your FATA beyond 3 months, most people at my airline have been passing it witout any problems.
Including two FAA pilots unable to hold a JAA medical, so please dont paint such a dark picture.
If your with a good company they will take care of it all, mine did and do!
PT6A
Some of your information is not correct, you can take the exam more than two times I know of people who have more times than two.
Medical is not done on arrival but to extend your FATA beyond 3 months, most people at my airline have been passing it witout any problems.
Including two FAA pilots unable to hold a JAA medical, so please dont paint such a dark picture.
If your with a good company they will take care of it all, mine did and do!
PT6A
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All expats coming to India from European or american backgrounds. Please do not expect to get your country standards here on roads or in govt agencies.
We are still developing and these kind of things will improve slowly.
But i am sure here you will meet variety of culture under one roof. Some you may like some you may not. Just grab the positives and add to the growth of the aviation industry.
You will definitely find someone who will tell you that "influence and Bribe" is what can get jobs done. Yes, Indeed. But if you are "right" things can be done through the right process.
As far as city is concerned, its friendly and charming.
Flysafe and enjoy
We are still developing and these kind of things will improve slowly.
But i am sure here you will meet variety of culture under one roof. Some you may like some you may not. Just grab the positives and add to the growth of the aviation industry.
You will definitely find someone who will tell you that "influence and Bribe" is what can get jobs done. Yes, Indeed. But if you are "right" things can be done through the right process.
As far as city is concerned, its friendly and charming.
Flysafe and enjoy
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pt6a your right the fata exam can be done many times... my info was from the days of you had to wait 6 weeks before retest, which meant of course your 3 month fata expired after the 2nd attempt.
As for the medical, sorry it is a dark picture and will be until they publish the full criteria and bring it inline with the rest of the world. Yes I passed, in my mind it wasnt bad at all, I even wrote a post on here a while back about it, but time and time again I see people get booted out . Case in point, just this week a friend who has been here 3 years finally did his Initial class one, holds a JAA class 1, he failed for a squint !! Its within limits for the JAA world but not for the IAF/DGCA world... WTF !!!
As for the medical, sorry it is a dark picture and will be until they publish the full criteria and bring it inline with the rest of the world. Yes I passed, in my mind it wasnt bad at all, I even wrote a post on here a while back about it, but time and time again I see people get booted out . Case in point, just this week a friend who has been here 3 years finally did his Initial class one, holds a JAA class 1, he failed for a squint !! Its within limits for the JAA world but not for the IAF/DGCA world... WTF !!!
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"he failed for a squint !!"
Yet they will pass an Indian who is a heavy drinker and smoker.
This medical nonsense does not end at the initial. You have to sit 2 Indian medical examinations per year, on top of your own license medical examinations. This will also include being jabbed with a needle in probably less than hygienic conditions.
Yet they will pass an Indian who is a heavy drinker and smoker.
This medical nonsense does not end at the initial. You have to sit 2 Indian medical examinations per year, on top of your own license medical examinations. This will also include being jabbed with a needle in probably less than hygienic conditions.
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12 Rules for Expat life in Mumbai !
In Mumbai, being a “firang” can be exhausting: from the traffic and pollution to heat and the rains.
Firangis stand out worse than Aamir Khan’s eyeballs, making us targets for unwanted attention.
But still, after twenty months, I’ve succeeded in making this grimy city my home.
Here are some lessons I’ve learned on how to fit in, even if I can’t blend in.
1. Eat off the street
Chaat -- the Mumbai street food staple.
I arrived in India with orders to keep a safe distance from street food, raw vegetables and tap water.
One of my Dutch ex-flatmates even brushed her teeth with bottled water (I couldn’t believe it either). This is rubbish.
I recommend the street food, especially sev puri, pani puri, and the toasted "veg sandwich" topped with chutney, ketchup and sev. Extra caution when consuming street food during monsoon is advisable.
During Ramzan, the Muslim cooking on Mohammad Ali Road is incredible, unless you’re vegetarian.
The ubiquitous roadside sugarcane juice that’s squeezed in front of you is like an IV of pure energy.
2. Wear what you usually wear
I don’t find it necessary to wear Indian clothes to fit in anywhere except weddings, although I am a fan of the Nehru collar on the kurta, and the lungi for lounging at home, especially in the heat.
Mumbai has enough diversity to bear any fashion tastes, as long as they respect social boundaries for skin exposure.
Note, though, that Mumbaikars seem to equate cold air-conditioning with high status: so movie halls, restaurants and bars and offices usually keep the setting at 17 or 18 degrees Celcius.
Bring a shawl or a jacket when you go out.
3. Ride the local trains
Super dense crush load on the evening local train in Thane.
The local trains may be dirty and crowded, but they are also timely, frequent and fast and have rarely let me down.
In a city where the traffic can give you nightmares, knowing the trains, and especially the times of day when they will be empty, has saved me many a headache and a lot of money.
A general class monthly pass will cost Rs 100, first class Rs 500, roughly.
Nothing has earned me more respect among locals, either.
4. Give up the map
Early on in Mumbai I had a traumatic experience with directions: late for a meeting on the other side of the city, I approached a group of taxi drivers and produced a map of my destination.
I watched them studying the map for a minute before I noticed it was upside down. None of them could read.
After I ditched the map, one of them happily took my fare and helped me reach my destination, on time, by stopping every 500 meters to ask for help.
This system can be summarized as follows -- know the major landmark near your destination, and triangulate directions to that landmark with the help of locals.
5. Branch out
The Salman Khan blockbuster "Dabanng" at a local Bandra theater, versus a multiplex cinema.
In India, there is a saying: “The guest is god.”
The saying explains why, with just a little effort to branch out of the expat circle, I have been rewarded with invitations from a home-cooked Gujarati dinner in Bhandup to a family Diwali celebration in Chennai to a private DJ battle in Film City.
Tempting and fun as it can be to revel in the comfort of sameness, also known as “expat night” at a club with a one-syllable name, branching out is always more memorable and usually more fun.
A few fail-safe strategies to get started in Mumbai are food and Bollywood.
A group outing can involve catching the latest Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan or Salman Khan flick. I ask for occasional translations, but it helps to pick a film with an obvious plot.
Or, do a culinary tour of one of Bombay’s Khau Gullies, or street food alleyways, and share one of everything.
6. Learn where to shop
As an expat on a budget, I’ve often struggled to find what I want in Mumbai, for a decent price, tortured between the convenience of the overpriced premium options and the jungle-like mess of all the others.
I’ve learned to abandon the American concepts of “one-stop-shop” and “do-it-yourself” and instead have adopted the twin rules of “ask a local friend where to get it” and “don’t leave the house until I know."
Rumor has it that Ebay.in is gaining traction and is useful especially for electronic accessories and even DIY, though prices are a little volatile.
7. Know when and how to bargain
It’s a myth that everyone cheats foreigners in India.
Mumbai vendors are among the straightest in the country, with shopping treasures like Crawford Market, where prices are often fixed and always low.
However, as an expat (i.e. not a tourist), I am usually aware when I am likely to receive a tourist price, e.g. if I am standing next to a five-star hotel, an international heritage site, or a caged tiger.
If suspicious, I ask another customer or a bystander for the price. If I know the price, then I don’t bargain. I repeat my price and I’m always prepared to walk away.
And, try to keep morality and emotion out of the picture; business is business in Mumbai.
8. Don’t romanticize the poverty
Should the real-life set of "Slumdog Millionaire" become a tourist attraction?
An entire industry, called slum tourism, has been created because of people projecting preconceived notions and fears onto others.
As a conspicuously non-Indian person with almost no local language skills, I’ve never felt unsafe in Dharavi or any other Mumbai neighborhood.
It’s rare that anyone would spare me a wayward glance, outside of a couple of bored children (be careful, snickering children can hurt the ego!).
However, if you want to familiarize yourself with the less affluent parts of Mumbai, you’ll be fine with a hat and a water bottle, and a few rupees to buy a sugarcane juice along the way.
If you’re worried about being mugged, I find the best thing to do is to stop worrying.
9. Embrace yoga, Hindi and the head-shake
Try yoga. The Iyengar school of yoga was born nearby. Learn a bit of Hindi. I’ve learned enough to delight a few police officers when it counted. Get over the staring. Everyone stares at everyone, not only at foreigners.
And most importantly, wag your head. I enjoy head-wagging with abandon, not only to convey the boring Western meaning of “yes” but also (with facial expression adjustments) to indicate “no”, and “maybe”, and to show pleasure, understanding, and even sympathy.
10. An effective face wash
When you get home try wiping your face with a damp cloth. You'll see, literally, why a high-quality face wash is a big winner in Mumbai.
The idea that this city is a “grimy gem” isn’t entirely metaphorical, and your skin may react in unwanted ways.
11. Monsoon-proof your life
Create a whole new fashion style.
When I first experienced monsoon I was defeated in many ways. Clothes got ruined. Mold took over my house. Social life waned, as I avoided dealing with nights out in the rain.
I found that investing in a few pairs of monsoon-worthy sandals, shoes and a champion umbrella was a great start, and having a couple of extras to leave at the office was good insurance against my faulty memory.
Also, moisture absorbing packets for the bedroom and talcum powder for the body are very useful.
Unfortunately the last, critical strategy is to grin and bear the muck.
12. Leave Mumbai now and then
Even the most hardcore Mumbai expatriate ought to leave the city now and then.
For one, I find it necessary in order to recuperate and detoxify.
More importantly, India has enough to offer, from the Himalayas to the lush, hospitable South, both directions have provided me the necessary reinvigoration to plunge back into the Mumbai haze.
Firangis stand out worse than Aamir Khan’s eyeballs, making us targets for unwanted attention.
But still, after twenty months, I’ve succeeded in making this grimy city my home.
Here are some lessons I’ve learned on how to fit in, even if I can’t blend in.
1. Eat off the street
Chaat -- the Mumbai street food staple.
I arrived in India with orders to keep a safe distance from street food, raw vegetables and tap water.
One of my Dutch ex-flatmates even brushed her teeth with bottled water (I couldn’t believe it either). This is rubbish.
I recommend the street food, especially sev puri, pani puri, and the toasted "veg sandwich" topped with chutney, ketchup and sev. Extra caution when consuming street food during monsoon is advisable.
During Ramzan, the Muslim cooking on Mohammad Ali Road is incredible, unless you’re vegetarian.
The ubiquitous roadside sugarcane juice that’s squeezed in front of you is like an IV of pure energy.
2. Wear what you usually wear
I don’t find it necessary to wear Indian clothes to fit in anywhere except weddings, although I am a fan of the Nehru collar on the kurta, and the lungi for lounging at home, especially in the heat.
Mumbai has enough diversity to bear any fashion tastes, as long as they respect social boundaries for skin exposure.
Note, though, that Mumbaikars seem to equate cold air-conditioning with high status: so movie halls, restaurants and bars and offices usually keep the setting at 17 or 18 degrees Celcius.
Bring a shawl or a jacket when you go out.
3. Ride the local trains
Super dense crush load on the evening local train in Thane.
The local trains may be dirty and crowded, but they are also timely, frequent and fast and have rarely let me down.
In a city where the traffic can give you nightmares, knowing the trains, and especially the times of day when they will be empty, has saved me many a headache and a lot of money.
A general class monthly pass will cost Rs 100, first class Rs 500, roughly.
Nothing has earned me more respect among locals, either.
4. Give up the map
Early on in Mumbai I had a traumatic experience with directions: late for a meeting on the other side of the city, I approached a group of taxi drivers and produced a map of my destination.
I watched them studying the map for a minute before I noticed it was upside down. None of them could read.
After I ditched the map, one of them happily took my fare and helped me reach my destination, on time, by stopping every 500 meters to ask for help.
This system can be summarized as follows -- know the major landmark near your destination, and triangulate directions to that landmark with the help of locals.
5. Branch out
The Salman Khan blockbuster "Dabanng" at a local Bandra theater, versus a multiplex cinema.
In India, there is a saying: “The guest is god.”
The saying explains why, with just a little effort to branch out of the expat circle, I have been rewarded with invitations from a home-cooked Gujarati dinner in Bhandup to a family Diwali celebration in Chennai to a private DJ battle in Film City.
Tempting and fun as it can be to revel in the comfort of sameness, also known as “expat night” at a club with a one-syllable name, branching out is always more memorable and usually more fun.
A few fail-safe strategies to get started in Mumbai are food and Bollywood.
A group outing can involve catching the latest Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan or Salman Khan flick. I ask for occasional translations, but it helps to pick a film with an obvious plot.
Or, do a culinary tour of one of Bombay’s Khau Gullies, or street food alleyways, and share one of everything.
6. Learn where to shop
As an expat on a budget, I’ve often struggled to find what I want in Mumbai, for a decent price, tortured between the convenience of the overpriced premium options and the jungle-like mess of all the others.
I’ve learned to abandon the American concepts of “one-stop-shop” and “do-it-yourself” and instead have adopted the twin rules of “ask a local friend where to get it” and “don’t leave the house until I know."
Rumor has it that Ebay.in is gaining traction and is useful especially for electronic accessories and even DIY, though prices are a little volatile.
7. Know when and how to bargain
It’s a myth that everyone cheats foreigners in India.
Mumbai vendors are among the straightest in the country, with shopping treasures like Crawford Market, where prices are often fixed and always low.
However, as an expat (i.e. not a tourist), I am usually aware when I am likely to receive a tourist price, e.g. if I am standing next to a five-star hotel, an international heritage site, or a caged tiger.
If suspicious, I ask another customer or a bystander for the price. If I know the price, then I don’t bargain. I repeat my price and I’m always prepared to walk away.
And, try to keep morality and emotion out of the picture; business is business in Mumbai.
8. Don’t romanticize the poverty
Should the real-life set of "Slumdog Millionaire" become a tourist attraction?
An entire industry, called slum tourism, has been created because of people projecting preconceived notions and fears onto others.
As a conspicuously non-Indian person with almost no local language skills, I’ve never felt unsafe in Dharavi or any other Mumbai neighborhood.
It’s rare that anyone would spare me a wayward glance, outside of a couple of bored children (be careful, snickering children can hurt the ego!).
However, if you want to familiarize yourself with the less affluent parts of Mumbai, you’ll be fine with a hat and a water bottle, and a few rupees to buy a sugarcane juice along the way.
If you’re worried about being mugged, I find the best thing to do is to stop worrying.
9. Embrace yoga, Hindi and the head-shake
Try yoga. The Iyengar school of yoga was born nearby. Learn a bit of Hindi. I’ve learned enough to delight a few police officers when it counted. Get over the staring. Everyone stares at everyone, not only at foreigners.
And most importantly, wag your head. I enjoy head-wagging with abandon, not only to convey the boring Western meaning of “yes” but also (with facial expression adjustments) to indicate “no”, and “maybe”, and to show pleasure, understanding, and even sympathy.
10. An effective face wash
When you get home try wiping your face with a damp cloth. You'll see, literally, why a high-quality face wash is a big winner in Mumbai.
The idea that this city is a “grimy gem” isn’t entirely metaphorical, and your skin may react in unwanted ways.
11. Monsoon-proof your life
Create a whole new fashion style.
When I first experienced monsoon I was defeated in many ways. Clothes got ruined. Mold took over my house. Social life waned, as I avoided dealing with nights out in the rain.
I found that investing in a few pairs of monsoon-worthy sandals, shoes and a champion umbrella was a great start, and having a couple of extras to leave at the office was good insurance against my faulty memory.
Also, moisture absorbing packets for the bedroom and talcum powder for the body are very useful.
Unfortunately the last, critical strategy is to grin and bear the muck.
12. Leave Mumbai now and then
Even the most hardcore Mumbai expatriate ought to leave the city now and then.
For one, I find it necessary in order to recuperate and detoxify.
More importantly, India has enough to offer, from the Himalayas to the lush, hospitable South, both directions have provided me the necessary reinvigoration to plunge back into the Mumbai haze.