SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

Cultural differences extend to us everywhere we go; Indian social etiquette is extensive. Being a foreigner, you’ll clearly observe a distinctness in everything. To avoid culture shock here are some basic, but profoundly important and helpful, day-to-day practices of India.

 

 

 

Eating and the right-hand rule

ü  Eating is usually done with the fingers, and requires practice to get it right.

ü  Rule one is: eat with your right hand only.

ü  In India, the left hand is for wiping your bottom, cleaning your feet and other unsavory functions (you also put on and take off your shoes with your left hand), while the right hand is for eating, shaking hands and so on.

ü  Take food from communal dish with a spoon; never your fingers. Use chapatti or poori (bread) torn into small chunks to scoop up food.

 

DRESS/ATTIRE

ü  Indians are very conservative on dressing

ü  Without gender concern, decency starts by covering your shoulders as well as need to wear lengthy clothes which cover legs properly.

ü  In general, Indians find it hard to understand why foreigners should wander round in ragged clothes.

 

 

Meeting and Greeting

ü  Foreigners may shake hands, however, greeting with 'namaste' (na-mas-TAY) (placing both hands together with a slight bow) is appreciated and shows respect for Indian customs.

ü  Men shake hands with men when meeting or leaving.

ü  Men do not touch women when meeting or greeting.

ü  Traditional Indian women may shake hands with foreign women but not usually with men.

 

 

Feet

ü  Feet are considered unclean. Feet are sacred for holy men and women.

ü   Pointing footwear at people is considered an insult.

ü  Many Indians do not wear shoes inside a home. Follow your host. Make sure your socks are clean and do not have holes.

ü  Apologize immediately if your feet or shoes touch another person.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

ü  Staying well-groomed and dressing “respectably” vastly improves the impression you make on local people and reduces sexual harassment for women, too.

ü  Practice eating rules to perfection

ü  Kissing and embracing are regarded in India as part of sex: do not do them in public.

ü  As a traveler, you will constantly come across people who want to strike up a conversation you might find it intrusive but generally it’s a polite way

ü  Don’t stand too close to other person.

ü  Don’t show anger

ü  Always point with your chin, whole hand or thumb.

ü  Dress modestly while visiting any religious places, like temples or mosques, or any village

ü  Do not start eating the food before the host.