Shopping in India

Souvenirs in India – and for every taste, and on any wallet. Already for ten rupees, you can buy an elephant keychain – slightly alyapocent and cored, but with small pieces of mirrors on the sides.

From souvenirs you can safely recommend Indian textiles – shirts, skirts, bedspreads on the armchairs, tablecloths, cushion covers and T.D.

One of the symbols of India is, it’s over, sari. So it is logical to bring this souvenir from India. However, before buying – think about where you will appear in it? If you are not a regular guest party in Indian style, it is better to give something more practical. However, for someone and the opportunity to spend a couple of photo sessions in Sari – already a good argument.

Sari prices vary greatly – from 500 rupees for a piece of synthetic tissue to 2500-4000 for silk and ten and more than thousands of rupees for sari with gold sewing.

If you still buy sari, then ask the seller to show you how to drape in it – watching video records will not replace the personal master class. Here, however, there is one nuance – the seller will show you how to dress Sari so that it keeps, but will not explain how to drape in Sari so that it can be walking. To do this, it is better to get a lesson from an ordinary Indian woman. We at such a master class have suggested several times in a very simple way. Strked in a public place to drape one of our girls in Sari, preparing for a photo shoot. Of course, we didn’t immediately manage it, from the side, it looked funny. Someone from local women immediately paid attention to us, and – or they proposed to help, or we asked for help.

Another popular souvenir – Pashmina, thin woolen scarf. If the price is higher than 600-700 rupees, the seller will assure you that it is a natural six of Kashmir. Check authenticity is very easy – ask to pour one of the threads from the scarf, the smell of pale wool from the smell of paper you differ easily.

Among other things to pay attention to – Shoes

and decorations (bracelets, rings and t.D.), a different home decor (for example, multi-colored lampshades).

Figurines that sell under the guise of sandalwood can be used if they like externally, given, however, that this is not the sandal, but the other tree of wood that sprinkled the flavor. Knowing it, boldly knock the price of 5-10 times.

Like souvenir weapons? Also there, where to get roas.

You can bring with you the coin of the time of the Delia Sultanate or British India.

Good souvenir – Spices (Masala, Curry and others) and seasonings (for example, mango or apple chutney). Spices can be bought as for weight and factory packaged. Someone says that the weight in specialized stores sell better quality goods, but, for example, a gift is better to buy spices in neat packaging (40-70 rupees). Chutney and pickled vegetables (pickles) are sold in glass or plastic jars, it is not so symbolically – from 70 to 150 rupees, but this is a great option to bring the taste of Indian cuisine.

If you tried Masala tea in India, you will probably want to bring it with you. I prefer to bring spices separately (just do not forget to say that it is TEA Masala, and not Garam Masala, for example) and already in Russia mix with black tea. But as a gift you can bring a carved wooden box with a ready-made mixture of teas and spices (100 rupees).

You can buy spices and seasonings in shops or in the market in any city. To buy clothes, shoes, decorations One of the best places is Jaipur, which is sometimes called "City of craftsmen". There are interesting markets of folk crafts and in Delhi (Dilli Haat), but Jaipur overlaps their assortment and quality. There are good shopping opportunities in Pushkar.

In specialized stores, you can sometimes get souvenir even for free. For example, and one shop I got an impression on the fabric in the form of an elephant (there was a demonstration of the device’s method), in another – the artist painted the elephant of the same ink (promoted his miniatures worth 10,000 rupees and more).

You can bargain and need, however, it is necessary to consider that the Hindus are traded enough. In Egypt, the seller, calling you the price, is already psychologically ready "Drop" And he asks you about your price. In India to the question, it is possible to make a discount, you will most likely tell you that this is a state store, and there are no discounts here, or what is here and the lowest prices in the whole city.

Do not lower the hands! Continue to bargain, ask to show you new things, postpone the fact that you are interested. Most likely, the seller will gradually reduce the price, showing you new numbers on the calculator or recording on a piece of paper. You can gradually increase your price (you can start, calling the price 3-4 times less than what the seller denoted).

It is important to remember that to bargain in India (and in general in the east) is adopted firmly and long, but respectfully and friendly. Smile, say compliments, do not scold goods. Instead of talking "Fuuu, for such garbage you want so much money?!" Better to say – "Yes, the quality is good, but I expected on another price".

In the middle of the bargaining, it is good to make a small psychological break, showing that you are not so insanely interested in buying. Drink offered tea, look around, ask the seller about how he lives as he has children, whether he has a store, where he brings the goods. First, it will create a favorable climate, secondly, the seller, wanting to bring the purchase, will resume bargaining and put you in a more favorable position.

If, as a result, the price has not decreased before it is necessary to get up with a sigh and leave, slowly counting to yourself. When you count up to five, you are most likely called and offered, finally the ideal price.

Yes, still in India there is a good local whiskey – you can bring a written acquaintance as a gift. But I will write about Indian drinks separately.