India

Compiled by Rob Kasper

India has a very complex and unique society, complete with values, traditions, and intricacies much different from those of the Organization. The differences are much greater than those of the other cultures being examined in this report; this is because the cultures are all Western cultures, much like the Organization's. To highlight these differences more explicitly, the following topics will be examined: greetings, boardroom etiquette, dining habits, communication, education, religion, naming conventions, and rooming expectations.

Greetings

Indians will likely not be punctual, but it is advised that everyone else be. When they arrive, greet the eldest or highest ranking associate first; it is also important that each person is greeted individually. A handshake is considered an appropriate greeting from men to men and women to women. In the instance of a greeting between the two genders, the non-Indian should wait for the Indian to make a move ("India"). Some Indians are accepting of the different genders shaking hands; anyone opposed to such a greeting will greet the other gender by placing their palms together, as if praying, bowing slightly, and saying "Namaste". The non-Indian should return the gesture. Physical contact is frowned upon, so hugs or kisses would be considered inappropriate (Shukla).

Boardroom Etiquette

India is a very diverse and unique country; their business culture reflects their individuality. In order to do business with anyone, a meeting must be scheduled. With Indians, it is recommended that the meeting be scheduled well in advance, with a handful of confirmations. Dressing conservatively for the meeting is encouraged; Indian men will almost always wear a suit coat and tie, except in the extreme heat. Women should dress conservatively, with a high-necked shirt and long skirt or pants. (Shukla)
Business is done predominately in English so there should not be much of a language barrier. If their accent is difficult to understand, do not hesitate to ask them to repeat themselves. In doing business or any other conversation, hesitate to say "no" or give a negative response, it is considered very rude. The convention is to side step such a response by being intentionally vague; in order to truly understand the response, read the person.s non-verbal cues. Business in India is based upon personal relationships ("India"). This can cause business deals to be very slow until a personal rapport is developed. Consequently, small talk is important before business can begin. Good conversation topics include cricket or other sports, one's family, Indian economic growth or reform, films, or Indian culture. Indian's enjoy talking about their nation. Conversely, the topics of religion, Pakistan, and Indian poverty should be avoided. (Shukla)
Business cards are frequently exchanged at the beginning of a meeting; have many ready to hand out as they are frequently exchanged, even in a social situation. The cards should be written in English. Do not be surprised if the Indians' cards have degrees or other honors listed; considering this convention, the Organization should consider adding such to its associates' cards. When exchanging cards, hand it to them with your right hand, so the card is oriented where the recipient can read the card. Once received, the card should be respected. (India)

Dining

India's dining habits are very intricate and detailed. When hosting Indians, there are many dietary considerations. Hindu and Sikh Indians do not eat beef or beef products; Muslim Indians do not eat pork. Many Indians are vegetarians. Consequently, it is recommended that any hosted or catered meals offer multiple vegetarian choices and have chicken, fish, or lamb for the non-vegetarian meals. In addition, some Hindus fast, during which only fruit can be consumed. In addition to the food requirements, there are some beverage guidelines. Many Indians do not drink alcohol; this means non-alcoholic beverages, such as fruit juices or soda, need to be an option. The best option is to ask an Indian contact beforehand to find out what will be the best dietary options. (Shukla)
Indian etiquette is also very ornate. Indians, as is custom, will always decline the first invitation to refreshments. Therefore, it is imperative that they be invited multiple times to partake; they will eventually accept as it is considered rude not to. Indians place a lot of emphasis on cleanliness. They will likely wash their hands before and after every meal. The left hand is considered unclean and they will not eat with it; however, they will use it to pass dishes. It is customary to eat most Indian food by hand, which may cause some issues when eating in the Western tradition with a fork, knife, and spoon. Indians will also rarely clear a plate; this indicates that they are still hungry and will want more food. They will frequently leave a small portion to indicate satiation. ("India")

Communication

India has the 8th largest landline system and the third largest cell phone network. It also had the 5th largest number of Internet users (Factbook: India). Consequently, Indians should be available by most means expected in the United States. However, it is recommended that a written letter be sent to arrange a meeting ("India").

Education

India has the third largest tertiary system in the world (World Bank). Therefore, it is likely that anyone that would be invited to the Organization's conference will have a collegiate background. Many Indians will list degrees or other honors on their business cards ("India"). In India, English is considered the language of high education; this means that if they can speak English fluently, the person is likely well-educated (Shukla).

Religion

India has many active religions. The population is predominately Hindu, however Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsi are all present ("India"). Consequently, it is advisable to ask in advance of the visit if there are any religious practices that may need to be prepared for; for example, a location for Muslims to pray during the day.

Naming Conventions

Calling your potential business partners by the correct name is very important. Naming conventions can vary by region. Always refer to someone by his or her professional title, such as doctor or professor, if he or she has one. Otherwise, use Mr. or Ms. Indians in the northern portions of the country use the same naming convention as Westerners; they have a first, middle, and last name. In the south, the convention is ancestral hometown, Father's name, and first name; the first two elements will likely be abbreviated. For example, Bob is from Chicago and his father's name is Larry. His name would be Chicago Larry Bob, or C.L. Bob. Bob should be called Mr. Bob unless he has a professional title, in which case it should be used instead of Mr. Women will normally take their husbands' names. Muslim Indians follow a different naming convention; it is first name bin father.s name. If Hajji or Hajjah is added to the name, it indicates the person has completed their pilgrimage to Mecca. ('India')

Entertainment

In India, cricket is a very popular sport. The players are idolized and are celebrities in their own right. It could be advisable to try to entertain them using more popular American sports, such as baseball. Movies are also very popular with Indians; India creates more movies annually than any other country. This may also be a viable option for entertaining. (Shukla)

Accommodations

When Indians host outsiders, many meals will be hosted in five-star hotels or very high-class restaurants (Shukla). Consequently, they may expect a similar level of hospitality in their rooming while in the US.

Summary

Although India may seemingly have many expectations or traditions to which the Organization may need to adapt, it is a very possible goal. As the Organization prepares for the Indians visit, it is advisable that when in doubt, ask an Indian contact. Indians enjoy talking about their culture and are, comparatively speaking, very open people (Shukla).