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CITY INFO |
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CLIMATE |
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CLOTHING |
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The city is at its best between September
and February when temperatures range 15 and 30 degrees
C. Otherwise it's
hot and temperatures have even been known to touch 45 degrees
C in late May or early
June. |
Cottons are a comfortable option throughout the year. To avoid unwanted attention,
do not wear skimpy or short clothes while out on the streets. A light sweater or
shawl is sufficient for winter. |
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PEOPLE |
ETIQUETTE |
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Hyderabadis are very laidback, warm and hospi-table. They are also getting to be
very cosmo-politan ever since the city went the IT way. |
Take your shoes off before entering places of worship. Also ask whether you may
keep your shoes on before entering people's homes. When out visitng, accept at least
a glass of water to avoid causing offence. |
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PUNCTUALITY |
LANGUAGES |
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Punctuality and
Hyderabad
aren't the best of buddies and you aren't expected to arrive on the dot for anything
except formal meetings. |
Telugu, English and Hindi are widely sed, the latter in a dialect called Deccani
(Pronou-nced Dakhni or Urdu). A minimum knowledge of English or Hindi is enough
to get by. |
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CUISINE |
TIPPING |
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The city is famous for its biryani
but that's not all. Andhra food is as hot as the weather while traditional Hyderabadi
cuisine is both spicy and oily. Unless you hae a cast iron stomach, this is not
food to gorge on. Avoid eating raw salads and cut fruits at wayside eateries. |
Tipping is welcome
but not mandatory. A reasonable tip for any type of service is Rs.10. In hotels
and restaurants, a 10-15 per cent tip is fine. |
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BARGAINING |
ENTERTAINMENT |
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Except in big stores, haggling is common.
You can start by quoting as little as half the price and work your way up. If you
have a foreign accent, beware. The vendor's asking price will be substantially higher. |
Movies are the biggest attraction in
the city, but that doesn't mean Hyderabad doesn't know how to party. Young professionals
and 20-somethings are the mainstay of the many pubs, restaurants and lounge bars
that have mushroomed across town. |
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SAFETY MEASURES |
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Though relatively safe, it is wise
to hold on to your belongings in crowded areas. It is not advisable for women to
venture out alone after 10 pm. Skimpy clothes are best avoided. |
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GETTING AROUND |
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BUS
- Buses are the cheapest means of transport in the city, and the APSRTC operates
two types: ordinary RTC buses and metro liners. The former tends to be crowded and
the latter, while comfortable, do not operate on all routes. |
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AUTORICKSHAW - Auto-rickshaws are extremely convenient, provided
the driver is headed in the same direction as you. The minimum charge is Rs.10.
Seven-seater autos operate on the city's outskirts and Rs.5 will get you far and
away. |
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TAXI - Private taxis are now common the city. Besides metered taxis,
pre-paid taxis are also available at the airport as well as the Nampally and Secunderabad
railway stations. You can also engage a vehicle of your choice from travel agencies
and pay by mileage or the number of travel hours. |
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MMTS - The local train network operates between 4.30 am and 11.30
pm and runs along the Secunderabad-Hyderabad - Lingampalli route covering 13 stations.
Prices for a second class ticket are between Rs.5 to Rs.7 and Rs. 41 to Rs.76 for
a first class ticket. |