I'm in India now. sup ya'll =P

[Ns1]

It's 10:20pm and I'm sitting in this restaurant eating by myself, blowing through my per diem lol. My dining partner stood me up!

[busydude]

Originally Posted by Saint Nick

What do you know that we don't?!

Like he said.. young women don't dress up to look beautiful. Guys over there miss out on that.. and I don't blame the women. If they dressed and looked good.. they get stared and sometimes harassed.

[Ns1]

^^

No doubt. While waiting for my seat I saw a girl wearing tight ass leather pants and heels. Probably a 7/10 in CA terms but compared to everyone else here 8.5/10. Couldn't stop looking.

[vshah]

bombay or delhi would have provided a better girl watching experience

[sdifox]

Originally Posted by Ns1

Jesus Christ chicken tikka Biryani is so fucking good.

Facebook is right above the office I'm working at lol

so post a FB update from FB office?

[dr150]

Wassssuuuup!

[MichaelD]

"Please do not read the magazines unless you are buying them!"

[Ns1]

BTW getting that 300mb global data plan was the best idea ever.

[theprodigalrebel]

Cool, I live in Hyderabad. Only about 5 miles away from Raheja Mindspace. I live on the road to the Seven Qutb Shahi Tombs and Golconda Fort and I recognize where most of these photos were taken.

A good tip is rs500. An acceptable tip is rs100-200. If you want to flaunt or impress then rs1000.

And as for meals, the avg tip is 10-20% or so though optional.

Yeah, this is bullshit. Indians don't tip. There is no tipping culture around here. Yeah, if a dude delivers a 500-liter refrigerator to you on the third floor of a building with no working elevator, then it's the polite thing to do. Otherwise, people don't generally expect tips. Unless you are a foreigner. Then, they know you come from a tipping place (that's a weird phrase) and expect one. I do tip because people in the service industry make shit wage and it's the nice thing to do.

As for why you see all the security and metal detectors, well, there are a lot of terror cells spread across the country and the government does not want to take any chances. I mean, by now you must have noticed the sheer number of multi-national corporations that employ thousands of people in Hyderabad - Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, GE, Monster, Electronic Arts, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Qualcomm, Dell, HSBC, Bank of America, Deloitte, Du Pont, Cognizant, Accenture, Oracle etc. (literally dozens of similar more high-profile employers)....all within a 5-mile radius. And all of this came up in the past 12 years or so thanks to the Chandrababu Naidu government. They don't want a bomb going off scaring away foreign corporations.

Also, as a Hyderabadi, I can confirm that there are very few hot women out here.

[Ns1]

^^

While you're up (since it's 3pm here) what's a good place near here to go shopping tonight?

I need to buy the following items: shawl or other related tapestry, and a wooden spoon

BTW I'm at one of those multinationals you listed. I also think I'm in love with biryani.

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally Posted by Ns1

I'm used to being a minority, but as a Vietnamese guy in India I feel sooooo alone. The only other Vietnamese person I've seen is....my boss lol.

Saw a few uh yellow Asians at the pub/lounge last night though lol

You will probably have better luck at Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills. The Banjara Hills branch has Karaoke nights on Fridays. Not to sound stereotypical but hey, you know what they say about Asians and karaoke!

Maybe ask your hosts to take you there? Even if it's a disaster, there are other options around.

Also, friend/coworker of mine is playing a gig on Sunday. Some mellow acoustic/rock stuff if you are into that.

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally Posted by Ns1

^^

While you're up (since it's 3pm here) what's a good place near here to go shopping tonight?

I need to buy the following items: shawl or other related tapestry, and a wooden spoon

BTW I'm at one of those multinationals you listed. I also think I'm in love with biryani.

InOrbit Mall (I think you have already been there since you took a picture of it): Home Centre by Lifestyle on the top floor. Also, Shoppers Stop in the same mall. For other assorted stuff, you can try Hyper City on the Ground Floor.

[Ns1]

I'm leaving for the airport in < 12 hours

Originally Posted by theprodigalrebel

InOrbit Mall (I think you have already been there since you took a picture of it): Home Centre by Lifestyle on the top floor. Also, Shoppers Stop in the same mall. For other assorted stuff, you can try Hyper City on the Ground Floor.

LOL I've been to Inorbit everyday this week. Walked through Hyper City sooo many times only to go from the garage to the escalator.

Saw Life of Pi at the theater yesterday too haha

I'm looking for a more street vendor/bazaar type feel?

[theprodigalrebel]

Then you would want to hit Abids (near General Post Office). It's a super busy road with hundreds of small shops/roadside vendors. If you are feeling really adventurous and want to experience absolute mayhem, hit Charminar (also called the Old City).

[Ns1]

thanks; don't think I can swing charminar this visit unfortunately.

[radhak]

Originally Posted by Saint Nick

What do you know that we don't?!

I meant that society doesn't know - that allowing young women free will is good all around, and also easy on the eyes . Mumbai girls have it better with lesser paternalistic attitudes, and of course now that I'm in Miami, I'm convinced unfettered freedom in clothing options makes even the casual walk down the street a pleasurable act...

[Ns1]

How sad, it's 7pm on my last night in Hyderabad and I'm still at the office. I gotta leave for the airport in 6 hours

[OutHouse]

you and theprodigalrebel should have had a meetup.

[theprodigalrebel]

^ Yeah, unfortunately I don't visit the AT Forums that frequently anymore so I missed this earlier. I have always wanted to meet an ATOTer and record the awkwardness that would ensue. Oh well, someday...