It's been almost 2 weeks since the inception of my career in Cognizant here in Chennai, and I feel it's only fair to warn all the first-timers in the city and let them know the following tips to survive in a place that the devil himself was forced to flee from.
1: Load up on sun cream and whatever similar products you might have seen on TV that’s gonna help you fight against the mighty powers of the sun skin-wise…because my dear friend, this is where it shines the brightest. And not in a nice manner.
2: Avoid wearing black. Yes, I know it makes you look cool, but here in Chennai it’s only gonna act as a catalyst for the cooking process. So unless you wanna end up as a roasted version of yourself, black is not an option.
3: Carry a hand-sanitizer if possible. Hygiene isn’t exactly perfect here and with the unbearable heat, you’re bound to sweat more and leave yourself a big mess. Gotta keep those hands clean at least, right?
4: Learn a little Tamil. You’d especially need to know how to ask “how much” or say “it’s too much”, when it comes to the following two tips.
5: Avoid the auto-rickshaws as much as possible. There is no auto driver here who’s not out for blood…I mean, money. They will have you on their cross-hairs especially if you’re from outside Tamil Nadu and charge you such rates that it’s gonna give you a stroke.
6: If under some circumstances, the above mentioned point cannot be followed, then the only choice you have left is to verbally fight against them. Trust me, you will have to. They will charge you straight double the actual price. And what you’ve got to do is accept a rate that is straight half of what they are charging. Be stubborn and hold your ground. Do not give in. Then they will be forced to lower the rate but they might not settle for what you want, so you’d have to increase your preferred rate a little more. Finally an adjustment will be reached that’s gonna leave you both unhappy, but that’s life. You’ve gotta suck it up and be happy that you’re paying just Rs. 250 and not Rs.400 for a Rs.100 trip.
7: Walk like you own the street, even if you don’t know where the hell you are. Tourists and other outsiders are easy prey for the auto drivers and they will make you use their service if you look like you’re lost.
8: Carry an umbrella for the heat. It probably might not be…erm…manly for us men, so let’s not make this tip a compulsory one.
9: Go to Besant nagar…the oasis in the desert. I haven’t been to many places in Chennai, but that is one area where the sun doesn’t hit you much and the cool sea breeze is almost as comforting as being in an air-conditioned room, not to mention the presence of really good restaurants and cafes.
10: This need not be specifically said, but always make sure you got easy access to water. Dehydration is one of your biggest enemies here and you will be longing for a glass of chilled water very often.
11: Lastly, don’t let this place bring you down. Chennai might closely resemble hell, but there are fun spots scattered around the city that’s bound to give you a good time. Make use of them and you’ll be fine.
So I guess there are both ups and downs to everything…it’s how you balance them that makes all the difference in the world.
Vysh out
This blog mainly gives an account of events that occur in the lives of a group of people who were brought together after messrs jazim, suthin, vysakh and zubin moved into a house in October 2008. A house they named 207...
