I had a great time touring the sights of N India from Delhi to Varanasi. There are many beautiful things that definitely make the trip worthwhile. However my friends and I quickly learned a few tips about traveling in this part of India. You must be prepared for the local population and customs. There are of course many nice people in N India to whom this rules don't apply, but they are not the majority of the folks you are likely to come into contact with.
1. Baksheesh--In India, they love Baksheesh (loosely translated tips, or money for services) You have to be wary of any Indian you meet on the street on at a tourist sight, because they will invariably want money. If you are walking up to the gate to go into a temple, a man will point and say "oh you are looking for the temple it is that way" and hold out his hand wanting money. If you walk beside a guy with a cobra on the sidewalk--and yes you will see a guy right on the sidewalk with a live giant king cobra that conceivably could bite any and all passing by-- he will want money. If you go into a temple or tourist sight and have to take off your shoes, there will be a few men standing near the pile of shoes, and when you come out, they will want money; not because they did anything, but for not stealing your shoes, they expect money. You will be walking down the street at random times and someone will come up and say hello, hello and hold out their hand. The Hindi to English translation of "Hello" is apparently "you give me money?"
2. The Traffic-- Ear plugs highly recommended when riding, but when walking don't even think about an IPOD. That horn you hear might just be someone about to run you over on the sidewalk.
3. Concept of personal space-- Indians seem to have none.
4. Politeness-- Indians love to cut in line. Some seem to cut in front of other Indians as well, but they will all try to cut in front of a white guy. We noticed this at the ATM, and train station, but it was even worse at the post office. I had to wait an hour to mail a box back home, and had to constantly elbow people back out of my way. One guy was so aggressive he tried to cut in front of me when I was at the window. He acted very indignant when I called him on it--like it was his privilege not to wait for being Indian.
4. Always count your money very carefully at tourists sights. We noticed everywhere in Delhi and Agra as well that when you bought something, people would count back your money except for the last bill-whether it was 5 rupees or 100, and then pause, hoping you would take it and go. To get all of your money you had to call them out on it.
5. Lies-- in the tourist towns Indians will blatantly lie to you for more money. They will insist you need a guide when you don't, or that the entry fee is more than it is, or that the cab or boat or whatever costs double what you know it to be. Once again you just have to call them out on it.
6. If you are an attractive female, many of the men will not leave you alone--they'll take pictures of you, stare, and a percentage will even grope you as you walk by. Of course I didn't have this problem, but a couple female friends did, even when in the company of male friends. Apparently this is just a part of the Indian culture
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