Daily Living

In India, atithi devo bava means the guest is like god, but many foreigners turn out to be very bad gods. Here are ways to be more gracious.

Fancy new airports seem to spring up about every month in India. While a lot of the new amenities are really nice, there are still a few things to…

Tips for choosing the best expat bank account when you are living in India

Is it possible to adapt too much to a culture?

A complete list of all the kinds of visas for India that a foreigner can get, including a full explanation of validity, difficulty, and processes.

The meaning behind many different Indian horn sounds including cars, trucks, and buses.

An overview of hospitals in India and how expatriates can navigate the health care system

A conversation with Andrew Mogendorff of Target about his 3 year assignment in India. Andrew talks about communication, leadership development, family life, and repatriation.

Sven Brandelik and Charlotta Osterberg - Mohandas discuss the importance of building relationships in India and share their experiences over 8 years

A story about giving in.

A step-by-step guide to filling out the Indian visa application form

One quick way to tell if an outsider has been in India a long time? Ask him/her if they have a favorite place to get passport photos. You don’t…

An article about the absolute best source for advice on India

An intro to the foundational ebook for this site

Tips on how to save stomach space when you have a huge meal in front of you when eating with an Indian family.

A guide to using autorickshaws, share autos, call taxis, metros, buses, and cycle rickshaws

Looking at planes, trains, buses, and a car and driver

    Some of the most inspiring people you'll ever meet come from the working class of India. They often work long hours with no…

Tips for giving and getting directions

A tourist is defined as someone who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure. Yet, those who claim to be ‘world travelers’ avoid this label…

A guide for outsiders to know how to order indian food from a menu to get the tastiest experience!

Guide to Filling Out Forms in India

6 ideas on how to recover if you've offended someone in India

Tips for how to change a 'no' answer into a yes in India

Lessons from the road

I've been working behind the scenes this week to update some information about Indian visas. Here are the three updates you should know about. 1.…

A curated list of the required vaccinations for India you need to consider before coming on your trip to India.

Specifics for the Indian Business Visa

Specifics for the Indian conference visa

Specifics on the Indian Diplomat Visa

Specifics for the Indian Tourist Visa on Arrival or Electronic Travel Authorization

Specifics for the Indian Employment Visa

Specifics for the Indian Entry Visa

A complete overview of the Indian FRRO Registration process and how to make the most of your visit when living in India.

Specifics for the Indian Journalist visa

Specifics on the Indian Medical Visa

Specifics on the Indian project visa

Specifics for the Indian Research Visa

Specifics for the Indian student visa

Important information about the Indian Tourist Visa.

Specifics for the Indian Transit Visa

A funny look at a fictitious board room decision

  “Are you safe in India?” If you come to India often, you probably get this question a lot. My impulse answer is usually, “Yes,…

Mark Twain's description of what it was like to ride an Indian train in the late 19th century.

Mark Twain's take on human rules across cultures, how to define modesty, and who really belongs in an asylum.

Mark Twain's interpretation of the "winter months" in India and what it takes to melt a brass knob.

Some of my favorite things about living here.

A comprehensive look at the differences between NRI PIO and OCI including updates after the removal of the PIO scheme.

Looking at walking, bicycles, two-wheelers, and buying a car

Tips and advice for expatriates who want to open a domestic bank account while they are in India.

Applying the lessons of value rankings

  I’ve already stated my opinion about the questionable value of cross-cultural training sessions, but there is a lot to be gained from…

Give or give in

An overview of the rules for taxation of expatriates in India including establishing residency here for taxes for expats in India.

Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Amar Vyas, the author of NRI: Now, Returned to India     The Pareto Principle,…

A look at how outsiders can understand what jugaad is and use it in their everyday lives.

Everything you need to know

Tips and tricks for staying healthy in India for the person who also wants to have a little fun

A complete guide to all the things you need to know for packing for India on a long term trip: sporting goods, clothing, food, electronics, and more.

The rules no one tells you

Tips on train travel in India for foreigners and outsiders

A look at how to handle culture shocks and the dreaded culture attacks

How value rankings affect moral dilemmas

A short poem about stressors in India

Mastering small talk in India

Editor's note: Dear Mom and Dad, the kids are ok. Everything I learned here happened a long time ago, so no need to…

6 important reasons that you should be hesitant to sign up for a one-day cross-cultural training session and what a better model looks like

An overview of value rankings

The difference between generalizations and stereotypes, and how to use the former well