If a cab driver (or anyone else) asks if this is your first time to India, regardless of what the true answer is, always answer "no". This is the advice I got on my way to the airport a few hours before I was to depart for Delhi.
When I mentioned where I was heading, the person sitting next to me laughed out loud in a way that seemed to say "you have no idea what you're in for"...and he's right. To be honest, I'm a little afraid of India (especially Delhi) right now. I've heard it's very much a "love or hate" kind of place, and even the people that loved their visit there (of which the vast majority of people have) can, without hesitation, rattle off numerous reasons to hate it.
For the most part, people in Thailand were very friendly and trustworthy and it was rare to see someone upset (it's almost a cultural no-no, even if you ARE angry you're not supposed to show it). And basically I've heard that all that goes out the window the minute you arrive in Delhi. Shouting (and maybe shoving) are just part of the game and if you don't know exactly where you want to go (and sometimes even when you do) then you're in for trouble.
Side note: numerous times in Bangkok I'd hop in a tuk-tuk or motorbike and say 'just drive' and it was never a problem - guess that's the end of that.
So yeah, I'm sorta not looking forward to any of this right now - but at the same time so many people have said that India has been one of their favorite places to visit...anywhere - so I'm pretty uncertain as to how this part of the trip will turn out.
At least I won't have to wait long to find out!
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