Delhi - metro survival guide

Few weeks in India now and I feel that I've been here for long enough to offer advice for short&long term Delhi stayers.

Much nicer than TFL. You will be greeted by endless ammount of lovely dogs.

To the best of my knowledge the Western world is unaware of recent happenings in India - the security is tight very tight. Here is a few things that are worth knowing when travelling through metro in Delhi:

SECURITY:
- No matter how big, your bag WILL fit through the xray machine.
- When the security find something normal in a place different to where they expect it, let them know what it is - a wallet in a low sitting pocket for example.
- Hold metal objects like zippos in your hand when going through the metal detector, they don't like it when you don't.
- I have not tested that, but I have been told gas canisters for burners, stoves etc are not allowed.This is because of their bang-potential.
- They do not appreciate being photographed or video-ed, at all.

METRO:
- Is much much cleaner and more humane than anything London underground has to offer.
- Single ticket/token will cost you 20-30 rupees, for 250 you will get a travelcard with 200 rupees on which you can then top up, in my experience, this is more than enough for a weekly commute to and from work with some travelling mixed in, getting them and topping them up is simple, just go to the counter near the barriers (after security).
- Ladies, there is a area just for you.
- Busy times are just that, fomparable with london underground, with people fighting to emter, exit and just to stay in. Be firm whichever you are trying to do, if that means pushing through a wall of people so be it.
- being white/non indian you will attract some attention, this ranges from kids staring through to people making conversation wanting to know your life story. Sometimes it is nice, sometimes it isn't.

OUTSIDE:
This is particularily for those visiting old Delhi however will affect you to a lesser extent everywhere else:

- Beggers
- Sellers
- Rickshaw drivers

To shake off any unwanted attention, reply in any non-english language, the faces they make are priceless. In case you don't speak a foreign language, I suggest Macarena, Lambada or, if you feel hardcore - Francky Vincent