INDIA

A Business Etiquette Guide by Lindsay Aiello,

Jim Jernigan, and Ryan Lakota

•H

indu- 81%

•M

uslim- 12%

•C

hristian- 2%

L

anguage•H

indi

•E

nglish

T

ime1

1.5 hours ahead of U.S. CT

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH INDIA

Religion Geography

SOCIAL DYNAMIC

PDI- Power-Distance IndexScore indicates: India is more structured and impersonal.

IDV- IndividualismScore indicates: India is less

focused on individual performance.

MAS- MasculinityScore indicates: India has

balanced gender differentiation.

VAI-Uncertainty AvoidanceScore indicates: India has

balanced approach to ambiguity.

BODY LANGUAGE

G

reet eldest first and bid each farewell.

H

andshakes• Men vs. Women• If uncertain? Wait for woman.

T

raditional Hindu Greeting• “Namaste”• Sign of friendship

BODY LANGUAGE

•A

void:– Hands on hips– Folded hands or hands in pockets– Walking with a woman alone– Talking with a woman alone– Continued eye-contact– Feet– Top of head…never!

N

orth• Both name and a surname

S

outh• Father’s initial before

name to represent surname

• Woman adopt husband’s initial

U

se father’s name as surname

M

en use ‘bin’• Osama bin Laden

• Osama ‘son of’ Laden

W

omen use ‘binti’

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE FOR NAMES

Hindu Muslim

C

olor • Red, Yellow and

Green• Lucky colors

• NEVER White flowers • Related to funeral

• A bouquet of Yellow roses is the safest choice

GIFT GIVING

M

en • Gift is from a female relative

as well.

I

nvited to a house with a child• Bring a small toy or coloring

book

N

EVER LEATHER• Majority practice Hinduism

• Considered taboo

GIFT GIVING

T

raveling abroad• 1-2 months advance by

written letter

C

ancelled meetings are common• Reconfirm a week before• Also morning of

I

ndians are impressed when

you show up on time

PUNCTUALITY

W

omen • Sari, shalwar, or lengha• Sari- most popular

• Border of it represents status

M

en• White kurta and paijamas• Kurta- loose collarless shirt

C

onservative attire

DRESS WEAR

I

ndians seldom use utensils• Spoon or fork • Rarely knives

W

omen• Eat last after men and children have

been served.

L

amb, chicken, and fish

M

any are Vegetarians

L

eave a little left on plate!

N

EVER say “Thank you”

DINING