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Pune is a city of contrasts. Affording the luxuries
and facilities of a big city, it has the comforts
of a small town. While the people remain exceedingly
friendly and even more so, when you try a smattering
of marathi, this is a city of cross cultures. To
be here, you need to be aware of a few things:
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Etiquette:
Puneites are a friendly lot. If you are
over to their place for a meal, they would
appreciate flowers or tapes or even a book
as most Puneites are voracious readers.
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The flourishing bookshops in the city stand test
to that! Dinner times are usually between 8.30 and
10.00, lunch times are strictly adhered to with
most shops shutting down for lunch at 1.00 p.m in
the afternoon followed by the customary siesta.
Ideal not to disturb the Puneites in this hour...
Tipping:
Usually a tip of 10 to 15% is considered customary,
however if you are student, then you can get away
with it, as `students pay no tips.’ Also
tipping a rickshaw driver or even a bus conductor
is not required, but porters or coolies, postmen,
registered telegram officials and your telephone
workmen expect a tip. Also if you are staying
at somebody’s
place, it is a part of the tradition to tip the
servants. If you are just moving to Pune, then
your servants and gardeners expect a tip during
the festive seasons of Diwali or Ganpati, which
could amount to half their salary. |
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Dress
Code: While in Pune anything
goes, if you are a student - sleeveless
shirts to even minis skirts and shorts,
jeans form an ideal and an unsaid
dress code. |
Though if you want to blend in the crowd,
a staid salwar kameez or a sari is a must
for business dealings, if you are not sure
of what reception you are likely to receive.
While at discs and pubs, you can set your
own rules. While some follow the adage, `less
is more’, others play it by the comfort
rules. Just make sure, you get the dressin’
down right, otherwise you might feel out of
place!
Entertaining:
If you are entertaining in the city, then
best to do so at the vast variety of restaurants
at your disposal. Clean, health conscious
and also offering a vast range of multi-cuisines,
it is an ideal solution. Barbecue parties
in winter and light salad meals in summer
are ideal. Also, if you would like to surprise
your guests, a lot of caterers will help you
out. Punctual to the T, except when partying,
it is best not to keep a business colleague
waiting! And preferably talk shop, only over
a good game of golf or a mug of beer!
Help: If you are looking
for help or are lost in a city, then Puneites
are courteous with directions and easy routes
to get. Address the person as a `mama’
or `kaka’ and you are bound to get the
directions even more easily! If not, make
sure to ask the signal policeman or even the
autorickshaw driver for help and he should
be able to do so.
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