Flubby, one other thing I learned from some friends from India was a good way to cut the heat of the spice was to follow with yoghurt, or put melted butter on the spicy item. I've been known to slather a roll with butter, then kind of wipe the butter on the spicy food, like kebabs and such.

I live in what used to be called Canton province in China, in general the food here isn't all that spicy, so eating out generally isn't a problem.
Bob