Tips for visitors:
Language - Good news for visitors - you don't need to
speak in Malayalam to manage your way through Cochin. English
will do just fine, but you can always carry a Learn Malayalam
through English book, by Balaji publications.
Clothing - The city is hot and humid. So put away those
suits, sweaters and scarves, instead carry light cottons.
Etiquette - People in Cochin are warm and friendly. They
will go all out to make you feel at home. Remember to take your
shoes off before you enter a home or temple / places of worship.
One should always leave one's footwear outside.
Eating Out - The food in Cochin is diverse and is mostly
cooked in coconut oil. Restaurants are referred to as 'bhavans'.
Star hotels serve western food. After a meal, a small dish with
sugar, aniseeds and spices is served, to give a refreshing taste
to the mouth. Fresh fruits and tender coconuts are widely available.
Drinking Water - Unless you are at a well-run restaurant
or hotel, avoid drinking water other than that from sealed water
bottles (mineral water).
Beggars - If you encounter beggars, give in kind rather
than in cash.
Important documents - Avoid carrying valuable things.
Wear a money necklace or stitch a pocket inside your outfit
to keep important documents like passport, credit cards, travellers'
cheques, etc. It's always better to take photocopies of important
documents and leave them with someone trustworthy. Make sure
you keep a card mentioning important contact numbers, your age,
blood group, etc, so that people may help you in the event of
an emergency.
Emergency lines
Police : 100
Fire: 101
Ambulance: 102
Carry only essentials - Taking cognisance of time, place
and season of visit, carry only the most important things with
you. Avoid unnecessary items like too much of eatables, bulky
clothing, heavy items, etc.
Bargaining - Asking for a discount is part of the shopping
experience - you might be lucky and the shopkeepers may oblige.
Otherwise the prices are more or less fixed at most places.
Remember, it's a game you should both enjoy and if you get "swindled",
you are contributing to the local economy! Begin by quoting
half of whatever the vendor quotes.
Suitcases with code numbers - Try to carry suitcases
made of light material with wheels, or suitcases with number
lock system. Keep your suitcases locked, and always carry an
extra lock and suitcase chains, so that if you have to leave
your luggage for some unavoidable reason, you can lock them
in waiting rooms, hotel rooms, etc.
Safety Tips
Carry your wallet and credit cards in an inside jacket pocket
or side trouser pocket, never in the hip pocket.
Leave valuables and important papers, such as jewellery and
passports in your hotel's safe deposit box. Never leave these
items unattended in your room.
Beware of unexpected persons coming to your hotel room. Never
open the door to unsolicited room service or maintenance people.
If you schedule a meeting with a potential client, research
the company and the individual with whom you are meeting. Meet
in a public place, such as a restaurant.
Make sure that luggage is only given to a member of the hotel's
bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage. Never
leave luggage or other expensive items, unattended at airports
or taxi stands. |
