Originally Posted by
cj001f
I don't mind the 'maharaja' treatment, or more broadly, the ability to pay for personal services that I can't regularly afford. I never shaved in India, why bother when you can get a straight razor shave for INR 10?

I agree; although I didn't get shaved in India, I did get several massages, had my laundry done at hotels, and got a manicure (OK, the manicure was cheaper and easier than buying a nail clipper, which I had forgotten, but still I wouldn't have done it in the US). All were enjoyable.
As far as food pricing: most places I went didn't have two different menus; however, if you stick to eating in your hotels and at "tourist" restaurants, you will find that the food is just pricier there - even for Indian food with local ingredients. I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to get out into the cities and visit restaurants where we appeared to be the only non-Indian patrons. And the cost was much lower (e.g. dinner for two in hotel restaurant, $15. dinner for two at restaurant down the road, $2.20)