- Participating in a social occasion or visiting a home requires conservative dress codes. Do not shake hands with ladies. Always pick up a thing and eat with your right hand. Take only as much as you can eat, do not leave anything uneaten over the dish.
- Do not point your finger at any person. It is taken as a sign of annoyance.
- Be careful of cultural and social sensitivities of the regions. There is no single rule for that, the best way is to observe and follow.
- The “NAMASTAY” is a local form of greeting. It involves the joining of your palms as during prayer in church – well, not exactly, but it can pass (in church, the two thumbs are crossed, in the Indian “NAMASTAY” , the thumbs join but remain parallel to each other: this is only for information as the difference is not visible to the person in front of you).
- If you find the lady is not extending a hand shake, go for the “NAMASTAY” , Even with men, the “NAMASTAY” can be an excellent little PR gimmick! Follow it up with a “AAP KAISE HAIN” (how are you?) and you have broken the first block of ice if one there was!
- If somebody has invited you home for dinner, carry with you a box of sweets or at least a chocolate bar for the kid.
- Many Indians are in the habit of shaking their head in the course of conversation or taking instructions. Don’t show amusement if you witness this.
- Don’t photograph women without permission.
- Indian weddings are one of the most famous social ceremony liked by western people.
