Enjoying India: The Essential Handbook

by J.D. Viharini

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2012 Enjoying India is the ultimate how-and-why guide for foreigners that fills the gaps left by traditional guidebooks--practical and cultural information no visitor or expat can afford to be without. It will give you the knowledge to navigate this unfamiliar land with ease. Enjoying India offers a wealth of insights into India's culture and style of functioning, covering many important topics that are either dealt with superficially or omitted altogether by other books. Whether you are in India for business or pleasure, this is the one book you need to experience the best of India. Acquire the skills, understanding and confidence you need to: * Stay safe and healthy * Communicate successfully * Understand how yes can mean no * Avoid cultural blunders * Deal with Indian bureaucracy * Accommodate special needs * Bargain effectively * Get a seat on a fully booked train * Use your computer safely * Cope with Indian plumbing * and much, much more . . .

Genres: Travel, India, Nonfiction, Reference

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2010

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy read. It's main problem is that it is 10 years out of date and India has changed in the meantime.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given to me by a friend, full of lots of cultural advice about India; would be more useful if I were moving there or if I was doing business, but still lots of great tips. Will be using them. A few years old, but still valid.

[A. Rosen]

Enjoying India: The Essential Handbook. I recommend this book to anyone who's expoloring India. I didn't read it until I'd already been living in the country for years. If only I'd been able to read it when I first arrived.
The author writes in a friendly, conversational style that is easy to read. And she offers many practical tips. She's lived in India long enough to understand the culture from the inside out, so you get a deeper view than if you just read a tourist guide to temples, hotels, etc.
This book appears unique--filling holes left by other travel books.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to prep to travel to India. I found it helpful. It was written in 2012 so some aspects are dated but I’m guessing the cultural aspects remain very relevant.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cultural information was especially interesting. Will soon find out if it's still accurate!

[T P Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some useful information in this but it would terrify anyone thinking of travelling to India. I'm fully armed with lots of information. Not much fun to this!

[Meredith Marlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember enjoying this

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good introduction to what it is like to travel in India. It explains some of the cultural differences that you're likely to run into, especially regarding the behavior of women and interactions between women and men. It gives cautionary information regarding food and water. It also explains some about trains, taxis, and flights. It even explains some of the issues you'll run into because your a tourist and people will want to take advantage of it.

I would have appreciated a bigger discussion of hotels, and what to expect. For example some discussion about the different levels of hotel rooms(deluxe, exectutive, etc) and the fact that you should always ask to see the room before you check in. The hotel experience in India is drastically different than what you'll find in Europe, the US, or even in other parts of Asia. It's possible that in my quick read of the book I missed this but I doubt it. I'll check later and update this review if that is the case.

[Frank Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly the sort of book I've been looking for, in regards to being to-the-point, practical, and comprehensive advice regarding traveling in a particular country. The only thing is, it's perhaps so stringent in covering every negative possibility that it starts to be a little bit off-putting about actually traveling in India; but, it's probably better to know all of that and not be surprised, in the end.

[Peter Trivelas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book to read before traveling to India. It's written not a tourist book with things to see and do, but more as an insider's view of how to navigate the culture. The author, writing under a pen name, is an American who has lived in India for many years.

[Kely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful tips on traveling to India. I felt I had a deeper understanding of the social customs of India.

[Kimber Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful insights into India's culture; seems to make India much more conservative and strict to its rules than it may really be

[Heather]

Bookmarked so many pages to review. The more I read, the less I know

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book might be useful if you're moving to live in India full-time AND you have extremely limited experience with non-Western cultures. Otherwise, it's probably too basic for most people's needs.

[Jason Galloway · Rating 2 out of 5]

would not recommend this one

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book for interacting in India.

[Bredo Erichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good and detailed introduction to the culture in India. I soon move to India, so I am glad I found this. Have not read more than half way so I will finish my review later.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure I'll be referring to all the passages I highlighted starting next week while in India. Glad I have the digital version. Really insightful.

[Gino Filicetti]

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