So it's a few months before I 'move' to India, and I've been doing a bit of self-education on what will be home for a minimum of nine months. (I am a twenty-two year old blonde girl here and will be living in Jaipur if any of these things creates different expectations.) . With this in mind I am curious if anyone can help me out with what social taboos I ought to be aware of. I did gather that I should probably leave my left hand away from food...

Secondly, if anyone can recommend a good guidebook for India that would be great. I am a student so this will probably be done on a student's budget. That said, a book giving me lists of five star hotels will be rather useless to me. I could also use a recommendation for a guidebook for Asia in general as I plan to do a bit of traveling as well (no agenda or direction yet though).

Thanks for the help!

For non-luxe-hotels I'd start with Lonely Planet. I'd also look at Footprints and Rough Guide (your library may have them, or camp out at your local bookstore). I'd only buy one to take with me. But for planning where you want to go, you should also look at books like Exploring and Insight and even Fodors' Gold.

You might also want to check out the discussion boards at Lonely Planet and indiamike.com, and for hotels also look at http://www.sawdays.co.uk/

I expect you'll find the Lonely Planet to be good, and they always have a good section on cultural expectations.

I've never seen an "Asia guidebook." Waaaaay to much territory to cover in a single book. Lonely Planet does have a SE Asia on a Shoestring book, though the coverage of places is pretty cursory. I'd suggest you do your research, choose where you want to go and buy (even second-hand) the guidebooks for the countries you want to visit.

You may be able to buy some guidebooks after you get to India if you decide where to go on the fly. I bought Footprints India in Mumbai (for rather less than I would have paid at home) but I didn't look for other countries.

Someone gave me a book called "Culture Shock: India" that was a fun read, and set the stage for our move. In general, though, you will learn more from your new friends here than from a book.

Thanks, I've written all suggestions down!

Yeah I am really seeing that this message board is by far one of my most useful resources, as well as entertaining. (Makes me wish I was leaving tomorrow!)

Maintain a somewhat conservative attire - even though you may see some of the Indian teens dressing almost slutty by our standards - they're trying to emulate the Bollywood/Western look, but take it too far.

Politeness and good manners are valued and are considered a sign that you're parents raised you well.

Don't drink alcohol in excess - it can make you vulnerable more so than if you were in the US.

Protect your tummy and resist the urge to eat at the street food stalls. Use very good food precautions.

Don't wear expensive looking jewelry out in public, even if it's fake.

Don't worry about your left hand. You're not Indian so they won't care. It only matters if you go to a hindu temple. There you have to do things with your right hand.

I don't want to ramble on. Reply if any questions.

Observation is your greatest asset. All I do when I don't know what to do is watch everybody else and do the same thing.
Particularly useful in down-market restaurants. It is always a little bit of a surprise when the food arrives with no cutlery. lol. THAT'S when your left hand is very useful indeed.

A smile and the willingness to make a fool of yourself helps to. You WILL make a fool of yourself on occasion, so you may as well relax and learn to laugh and let them help you learn. They will.

India is an impenetrable mystery if you are not Indian. That's the bottom line. Frankly, the only thing I'd like you to be wary of is over-friendly Indian youth. Specificially, over-excited young men in their mid-teens. Google 'eve-teasing' and just remember; rudeness, touching and groping are NOT acceptable in any culture.

Thanks everyone!