big city bright lights big money and big headaches too thats delhi for you if youre single and a woman well actually its not a great party for the singleton male toolife is all about survival lessonsmegha shukla studentif i had known that living in the capital of india would be such a nightmare id never have moved from lucknow due to a slight mixup in dates i got late and was denied hostel accommodation in du the next alternative was to round up a few friends and live in a pg the process of finding a property broker itself was no hassle and once they realised that we were young and single every broker we approached was more than ready to extend their services to us ill give you a concession said one broker promising us a dream accommodation which he later told us was his own property we fledsuspicious looks curbs on inviting male friends over restrictions on cooking nonvegetarian food i have faced all that my one attempt to throw a party was shot down by my landlord who made it clear that there would be no naach gaana on his premisesevery day is a tussle with the autowallah they never go by the meter and have a ready excuse to overcharge you each time as for buses getting on to one in a sleeveless top and tight jeans is asking for trouble i took up a parttime job in a fastfood chain to make some extra bucks but i had to chuck it my landlord had a problem with the late hoursits silly how guys in delhi presume that just because youre single and living alone youre easy these things used to irritate me initially and i even thought of going back home not anymore im staying put whatever it takes abha sharma research officercoming from small town dehradun i thought delhi would be my dream destination shortly after landing here i faced the harsh truthgetting a job is easier than getting a house there were endless questions about my parents habits religion caste and of course boy friends after umpteen interviews i finally managed a small oneroom in mukherjee nagar north delhi i had to pay for being single a higher rent my working hours often keep me late in office at times i stay back in office or go to a colleagues house nearby thats better than travelling in buses or autos at nighti have habits which dont go down well with my landlord or neighbours smoking drinking partying beat constables have even knocked at my door in the middle of the night and asked embarrassing questionsas for my neighbours i often have to field inquisitive questions about my personal life and listen to lectures on moralityits