Tips & Tricks 

Tipping is becoming more widespread as a result of foreign influence. Tips are sometimes expected in the more expensive restaurants, hairdressers and for hotel porters. Don’t add a tip in hotel restaurants (where a service charge is added to the bill anyway) or in street restaurants. Taxi fares should be rounded up to the nearest 100 or 150 rupees.

When it rains and floods in Punjab, don’t bother putting on a raincoat. Slip on something light and cool, a pair of plastic shoes and take your umbrella.

The temperature in Punjab sometimes gets up to 45 degrees with high humidity. If you’re sightseeing, take along plenty of bottled water to avoid dehydrating. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must at all times.

Be wary of the ice in cold drinks. Ice often comes from unhygienic sources and is best avoided. The ice cubes with holes through them are generally OK.

When you’re eating out in the evenings, watch out for mosquitoes. Ask the waiter to put a mosquito coil under the table to discourage them. Wearing pale colored slacks and mosquito repellant will also keep them at bay.

Sightseeing in the heat all day can be exhausting, physically and mentally. Rejuvenate yourself with a massage at one of the your hotel. A One-hour massage costs less than 50 dollars.

A good way to escape from the heat for a while is to go in a barbers shop and get a haircut. Most places will include a soothing shampoo and scalp massage. The cost? About 2 dollars.

If someone approaches you on the street offering to sell you something such as gems or jewelry, just smile and walk away. Go in a shop and buy them instead. They’re more likely to be genuine and you’ll probably get a better price.

Don’t get angry when someone on the street shouts “hey you” to attract your attention. They don’t realize they’re being impolite. “You” is translated from the Pakistani word “App” which is a normal and polite form of address in Pakistani.

Don’t be surprised if someone addresses you by your first name, like Mr. David or Miss Jennifer. The Pakistani's normally address one another using first names only. Surnames are not commonly used as a mode of address.

You’ll notice after a short while in Punjab that Punjabi's have three names—a first name, a surname and a nickname. The nickname, usually something short and catchy