What's in a name..?

Well, quite a lot when it comes to the title of my blog which encapsulates one of Delhi’s most frustrating features...

So why ‘Honk if you like curry’? Well the name came from an observation I made in the first few days of living here. You cannot begin to describe the sound/irritation factor of the constant honking that every vehicle in Delhi makes. Everybody drives using their horn, as if they are all honking in agreement for the love of their national dish. It’s been proven that 70% of noise pollution in Delhi comes from honking horns and there is even an official No Honking Day on 1st January. How considerate to choose the one day of the year everyone is going to have a hangover...

Maybe due to the heat, my irritation and tolerance levels are slowly sinking. My experience of being on the road usually involves walking down it or being stuck in a rickshaw exposed to the elements. My biggest frustration comes as a pedestrian. If a car approaches you (normally about 10 metres away) they will start honking as if to say “watch out, I’m bigger than you”. This could be seen as a polite gesture. But it normally involves several further honks which are not necessary. But then again, based on my experience of Delhi drivers I’m glad you get a warning sound. I don’t want to make a sweeping statement but no one seems to be able to drive properly in Delhi. No one can park, overtaking and undertaking with a few centimetres to spare, as well as driving the wrong way on a dual carriage way (I’ve seen it all) is quite common. Being on the road is like being in a Mario Kart game. The common vehicles you spot range from tractors, buses, large SUVs, tiny Tata hatchbacks, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, motorbikes with up to 4 passengers, bicycles with up to 2 passengers, carts, cows and the occasional elephant. All driving is of course accompanied by a symphony of honks, which acts as a warning and voids any maverick driving manoeuvres.

I jokingly mentioned to my colleagues at lunch the other day about this frustration of mine and that it seemed as if no one had actually passed their test. I was then told I was right. As most people pay a bribe to get their test rather than sit it. Everyone then compared notes on how much they had paid for their licences. The least being Rs200 (£2.66) the most being Rs5,000 (£66.66) – what a bargain. One colleague had even failed his test by failing to give a bribe. That explains a lot I thought.

But like all things in India, the system works. I’m yet to see an accident, the skill and reaction of drivers to swerve with minimal damage is impressive. And the honking? Well at least you get a warning and it’s something I’m always going to associate with India. It’s going to be a long hot summer and only going to get noisier...


Highlights: mango season is in full swing – a visit to a ‘Mango Festival’ has broadened my mango knowledge apparently it’s all about the Alphonso, air conditioning the finest invention – I spent most of the weekend holed up at the American Centre enjoying a Hitchcock Festival and the frosty surroundings, getting ready for my sister’s wedding – it’s under 7 weeks until the big day, my bridesmaid dress is currently being made by a local designer and this week I chose the material and colour. Its hard being away from home in the run up to such a big occasion but seeing my dress come together is getting me more and more excited about my visit home for the Big Day.