Cultural Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling and Doing Business in India
Do’s:
Greetings and Conversation:
Greet Others in India with Either Saying “Namaste” or with a Handshake: Saying “Namaste” is the more common greeting and is said while placing the hands in a prayer-like position and bowing slightly. Handshakes are also fairly common, but follow your host’s example (Schweitzer pg. 134) (International Trade Administration).
Keep at Least an Arm’s Distance Away when Meeting Indians: This is considered a respectful distance to stand away from others when meeting with them in India (Schweitzer, pg. 134).
Speak to Elders with Respect and Try and Sit so You Are Lower than Them: (Cultural Atlas)
Expect Refusals and Communication to Be Indirect: It is unlikely you will receive a direct refusal, and you are more likely to hear a “maybe” that actually means “no”. Silence can also be an indicator of a “no”. Also a “yes” does not always mean the same as in an English context and might simply imply they understood what you said or they are listening and not a statement of agreement. Additionally, it is unlikely that someone will outright say they disagree with you, but will imply it more through continued discussion or presenting different points or negotiation to avoid confrontation and conflict (Cultural Atlas).
Be Patient with Speaking with Others: Many business people in India speak English, however, many find the American accent hard to understand just as some Americans find Indian accents difficult. Patience, humor, and a willingness to rephrase can generally get a message conveyed though (International Trade Administration).
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Social and Home Visits:
Expect and Bring Gifts when Visiting a Local’s Home: It is common to receive gifts when visiting a home or your host’s family even if it is not an extended visit. You should also bring gifts, especially gifts that have a western connotation that might be expensive or difficult to procure in India. Be aware that gifts are not opened in front of the giver (Schwietzer 134) (UT Dallas).
Business Etiquette:
Dress Conservatively for a First Business Meeting: After the first meeting the dress code can become more smart-casual, and many international businesses will allow their expatriates in India to dress down a little to cope with the heat and humidity (UT Dallas).
Remember to Present Your Business Card: India has a hierarchal business structure and as such they like to understand where you fit into their structure. You do not have to translate your business card, though, because English is the standard language for business in India (Schweitzer, pg. 133).
Present and Receive Business Cards with Both Hands and Receive with Your Right Hand: Do not put the card away immediately if you are given another’s card, but read it over thoroughly. Also, do not put it in your back pocket or write on the card as this is very disrespectful (Cultural Atlas)(International Trade Administration).
Try and Have an Understanding of Your Status and Rank in a Meeting: In India, such things as family ties, education, title, social connections, and background all play into how they see you and can affect their willingness to agree to deal with you in business and your position in the meeting. It is good to have an idea of where you stand so as not to overstep your position and potentially harm your prospects of a business deal. Titles are also important, and should be used whenever applicable (Schweitzer, pg. 135) (UT Dallas).
Demonstrate Your Expertise and Skills when Appropriate: Especially in a business context, Indians highly value expertise and this factors into their hierarchy system. Additionally, to understand where you fit into the hierarchy they may ask personal questions that often wouldn’t be asked within a more Western country (Schweitzer, pg. 135).
When in a Meeting Expect People to Enter in Order of Importance: The highest ranking individual enters first. Also, if the person in highest authority (i.e. an owner or director) is not present at the meeting, you should assume that early negotiations are still occurring because it is these people who make the final decisions (Cultural Atlas).
Be Aware that Business Lunches Are Preferred to Dinners:(UT Dallas)
Make Note of What Part of the Country You Are in or Doing Business With (i.e. North or South): Depending on the location in the country, there may be different cultural standards and norms that should be followed (Schweitzer pg. 125) (International Trade Administration).
Dining:
When Dining, Wash Your Hands Before and After the Meal: Especially when dining at someone’s home, you should follow this practice. Also, do not be alarmed if rather than eating with silverware someone should eat with their right hand, as this is common among Hindus (Schweitzer, pg. 136).
Pass Dishes with Your Left Hand: This is to avoid using the right hand which has now been eaten with, as well as because the left hand’s association with being dirty (Schweitzer, pg. 137).
Only Give Toasts Before a Meal: Toasts are generally not given during, or following, meals and are often limited to formal events (Schweitzer, pg. 137).
General Information:
Note that India does not Operate Under Daylight Savings Time: The country does not observe daylight savings, so this should be taken into consideration if you might be there when daylight savings is occurring elsewhere (Schweitzer, pg. 130).
Familiarize Yourself with Their Currency and Its Value: In India, they use the Indian rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paise, and 10,000,000 rupees equals one crore (Schweitzer pg 131).
Make Connections with Others: Personal relationships are important, so building a strong network with others is highly recommended as well as developing good rapport and goodwill (International Trade Administration).
Keep Some Cash on Hand: Although ATMs are fairly common and accessible for things such as taxis, markets, or small stands and shops, cash is likely better (International Trade Administration).
Be Aware that Traffic Moves on the Left: Unlike most places in the world, traffic moves on the left, so one should be alert to this difference to avoid potential accidents. Traffic and driving can also be rather intense, so getting a driver and being cautious when crossing roads is advised (International Trade Administration).
Gender Considerations:
If a Woman, Expect to Dress More Conservatively: Especially in the south, it is expected that women keep their legs covered and they avoid wearing sleeveless dress shirts and blouses. In the south, it is common for women to wear salwar kameez, which includes baggy pants with a long-sleeved tunic and matching scarf. Women are also expected to wear long pants when exercising (Schweitzer, pg. 132) (UT Dallas).
Be Conscious of Gender Roles and Habits: For instance, a woman may be left out of conversation if her husband is present or be expected to serve the men present at a meal (Cultural Atlas).
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Don’ts:
Greetings and Conversation:
Don’t be Offended by Being Referred to as Auntie or Uncle by Those Younger than You: These terms are common, and because the family structure is so important in India, it is often used as a way to help a stranger fit in (Schweitzer pg. 134).
Try to Avoid Mispronouncing Someone’s Name: Especially with surnames it is recommended to practice the pronunciation beforehand. It is good manners to do so, but also can help avoid insulting your Indian acquaintances because many names are also names of Hindu gods (Schweitzer, pg. 134).
Avoid Overt Criticism in General: Criticizing the government, the country, India’s relationships with other countries, and attributes of individuals and situations are likely to cause you to come across as rude or insensitive. It would be better to keep your opinions to yourself unless you are wholly confident in the situation and who you are speaking with. Other examples of topics to avoid include criticizing things such as the state of roads, poverty, and city cleanliness, as well as India’s relationship with Pakistan (Schweitzer, pg. 135) (Cultural Atlas).
Avoid Using Hands or Fingers to Point: Use the chin or eyes instead (Schweitzer, pg. 138).
Avoid the Use of Swearing and Crude Humor: It is more likely that your Indian acquaintances will find this offensive rather than humorous. Indians instead tend to prefer light banter and gentle teasing as a form of humor (Cultural Atlas).
Avoid Coming Across as Patronizing: Many Indian’s are adept in the English language, so avoid speaking in a way as to imply their vocabulary is limited (Cultural Atlas).
Avoid Giving a Direct Refusal: The word “no” is considered very harsh. So when needing to refuse an invitation or offer, instead try to use vague responses such as “I’ll try”, “maybe”, or something of the like (UT Dallas).
Social and Home Visits:
Never Enter Someone’s House or Temple Wearing Shoes: (Schweitzer, pg. 138)
Do Not Thank Your Host at the End of the Meal: Offering “thanks” is considered a form of payment, and although well intended, it can come across as insulting to your host (UT Dallas).
Business Etiquette:
When Bargaining, Do Not Start Off with Your Best Offer: Indians enjoy bargaining, so to get a good deal, you may want to aim high initially (Schweitzer, pg. 135).
Don’t Assume Indians are Lazy or Laid-Back in Business: Many Indians are highly educated and hard workers. In making business decisions they may not move quickly, however, they are likely trying to fully consider the situation before making a decision. Be patient and try and convey that you are a reliable choice and future business partner. It is also a good idea to build flexibility into your schedule and timelines due to this cultural trait (Cultural Atlas)(International Trade Administration).
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Dining:
Don’t Eat Food Off of Another’s Plate: It is also better to avoid offering food off of your own plate as well (Schweitzer, pg. 137).
Don’t Refuse an Offer of Food: If you have been offered food, they genuinely want to serve you and do you this service, so it is polite to accept their offer. Also do not be upset by a wife or other woman serving you because within Indian culture this practice is common, viewed as polite, and not considered demeaning by the women serving (Schweitzer, pg. 137).
Don’t Tip Excessively or Obviously: Although it may seem a small amount to Westerners, it may cause disruption among those who did not receive the tip. Tipping in lesser percentages such as 10% is much more acceptable (Schweitzer, pg. 137).
Avoid Drinking “Unsafe” Drinks and Food: Ice-free bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, hot tea, and coffee are all considered safe. Also avoid undercooked, uncovered, or peeled food when kitchen cleanliness practices aren’t guaranteed to avoid getting sick, especially as a foreigner (International Trade Administration).
Image taken from im.indiatimes.in
General Information:
Avoid Using Black and White Colored Items or Wrapping in Gift Giving: In situations such as gift giving, avoid wrapping presents in paper that is black or white because they associate these colors with funerals and are unlucky (Schweitzer pg. 134).
Avoid Certain Gestures and Postures in Public: Avoid winking or whistling as these can be considered rude, a sexual proposition, or an insult. Also do not beckon someone to you with your palm up and by gesturing with one finger as this can be considered an insult. You should also never stand with your hands on your hips as this can be considered aggressive or angry (UT Dallas) (Schweitzer, pg. 138).
Avoid Harming or Disrupting Cows: These are considered sacred to Hindu, so these actions can be considered extremely offensive (Schweitzer, pg. 138).
Don’t Step Over Someone Who is On the Ground: (Schweitzer, pg. 138)
Never Show the Soles of Feet to Others or Touch Another with Your Feet: Feet are considered very dirty, so these actions are considered very rude (Cultural Atlas)(UT Dallas).
Don’t Wear or Use Leather Products: This should especially be avoided in temples as this can be considered offensive because cows are revered by Hindus, and they do not use leather (UT Dallas).
Never Touch Someone’s Head: The head is considered to be where the soul resides, so it is very important and personal to the individual. Even touching the head of a child is considered to be incorrect behavior (UT Dallas).
Gender Considerations:
Avoid Drinking Alcohol in Public if You Are a Woman: There are four states within India in which alcohol is illegal, and many people such as Hindus and women do not drink alcohol (Schweitzer, pg. 137).
If You’re a Woman, Never Enter a Temple with Your Head Uncovered: (Schweitzer, pg. 138)
