Indian customs

Indian customs

Indians are mainly distributed in India. India is a nation that values ??etiquette and is also a country where Eastern and Western cultures coexist. Some Indians greet foreigners with "hello" in standard English, while others use traditional Buddhist gestures - folding hands. Hindus say namaste when meeting and bidding farewell, and greet each other with greetings. When saluting, bend down and touch the feet of the elder. When Indians put their hands together, they always raise their hands in front of their face. This kind of greeting is more noble and elegant than shaking hands, giving people a feeling of "immortal style". You must be careful not to clasp your hands and nod at the same time (foreigners often do this in India, which can easily arouse ridicule from the locals). This will destroy the cordial atmosphere and look a bit nondescript. In India, when welcoming distinguished guests, the host presents a garland of flowers and puts it around the guest's neck. The wife sends her husband off on a long trip. The highest etiquette is to touch the heels and kiss the feet. Nowadays, men and women in cities often shake hands when they meet, and hug when showing affection. In most places, it is common for men to shake hands when they meet or part ways. Men should not shake hands with Indian women, but should put their hands together and bow lightly. Men should not touch women and should not talk to women alone even in public places. Women rarely appear in public places.

Indians consider whistling offensive and a sign of lack of education. They believe it is inhumane to bathe children in a tub. Because stagnant water is stagnant, children will suffer disaster and die young after bathing. Indians like to talk about cultural achievements, Indian traditions, foreign affairs and the lives of foreigners.

Indian women like to have auspicious moles in the middle of their foreheads. They have different colors and shapes, and they mean different things in different situations. It is a symbol of happiness and auspiciousness. Most Indian men and women have the habit of wearing various decorations.

Indians have great disparities in status, have a hierarchical system, and attach great importance to status. If A is of a higher rank than B, A and B cannot be treated as equals, and the requirements are quite strict.

In Mumbai, India, 60% of people are vegetarians. Therefore, when entertaining Indian businessmen, you must confirm in advance the customs of the other party and whether they are vegetarians.

In India, if you want to enter a Hindu temple, you must not wear anything made of cowhide. Wearing anything made of cowhide will be regarded as breaking the taboo. Leather shoes, leather watch straps, Belts, handbags and other leather products are not allowed inside the temple. Indians take off their shoes before entering a temple or kitchen. They believe that it is neither polite nor holy to wear shoes. Regardless of men, women, old or young, all people put their shoes at the door and go in barefoot.

Indians love to drink tea, mostly black tea. Tea is also provided during breaks during various gatherings, not to mention entertaining guests. When eating at an Indian home, the guests can bring some fruits and candies as gifts to the host, or they can also bring some gifts to the host's children. Many women do not chat with guests or eat with them.

Indians love the numbers 3, 7 and 9. They believe that red represents life, vitality, vitality and enthusiasm, while blue represents sincerity. Sun-like yellow represents splendor and splendor. Green represents peace and hope. Purple represents peace of mind. Indians like red, yellow, blue, green, orange and other bright colors in life and clothing. Black, white and gray are considered negative and unpopular colors. I don’t like roses, so in offices and commercial institutions, the writing desk likes to be placed in the northeast or southwest corner.

When visiting a company or government agency for the first time in India, it is advisable to wear a suit and make an appointment in advance. When making appointments, try to keep them on time. Indian businessmen are good at doing business, eager for quick success and convenience, and like to trade by samples. They should show more samples during negotiations and widely introduce economical and affordable varieties. Many Indian businessmen were educated in Britain and the United States because it was a way of showing concern and friendliness. They tend to study business negotiations in detail and take a long time. During negotiations, avoid talking about India's extreme poverty, huge military spending and foreign aid in front of Indians. Those who enter the customs in Mumbai are advised to apply for a drinking permit at the customs because there is no alcohol available in the market in Mumbai. Indians often take you to private clubs to drink. Indians mostly use plates when eating. Be careful that when eating, only use your right hand to pass and receive food, and don't use your left hand. When in contact with an Indian, do not hand him something with your left hand. Because they think the left hand is dirty and the right hand is clean. When eating, you use your right hand to grab it. Not only can you grab rice, but you can also grab gruel from your mouth. In India, the left hand is not used except when going to the bathroom.

Extending your left hand is an insult to others. They may smash the things you hand with your left hand, and in anger, they may even give you a bad blow.

Don’t touch a child’s head. If you touch a child’s head in India, the other person will definitely turn against you. The most misleading thing is that the usual action of Indians to express agreement or affirmation is to shake their heads, or tilt their heads slightly to the left first, and then immediately return to the original position to express "Yes", "I know", "Okay", and Our nods vary greatly and are most likely to be misunderstood.

The best time to visit New Delhi for business activities is from October to June every year, and the best time to visit Mumbai is from September to October to avoid extreme heat or rainy weather. Major national festivals in India include New Year's Day on January 1st, National Day on December 26th, a "Wine Festival" (also called Water Splashing Festival) from March to April, a Brother and Sister Festival from August to September, and a Brother and Sister Festival from September to October. There is the Paper Burning Festival in October, Independence Day on August 15th, Gandhi’s Birthday Anniversary on October 2nd, the Festival of Lights (celebrating the third birthday) from October to November, and Christmas on December 26th. And Hindus. Sikhs, Muslims, Pashis, Dhammers... each have different holidays, and each port also has separate holidays. No transactions will be carried out during these times. Therefore, when visiting India, be sure to understand each other's holidays first.

Jewelry is an indispensable decoration in the daily life of Indians. Even women from poor families still wear some worthless metal or plastic jewelry. Since ancient times, Indians have believed that it is a man's obligation to give jewelry to women, and women should also dress themselves up with jewelry. India is known as the "Moon", "Hometown of Mango", "Land of Gold", "Diamond Trading Kingdom", "Golden Treasure Land" and "Crown Pearl".

Indian customs regulations stipulate that you can bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco into the customs. 1 quart of wine. There is no limit on foreign currency. Please declare the amount first and you can take it back when you leave customs.

India is known as the "Kingdom of Cows", and cows are the most sacred and inviolable animals there. When driving on the road, be careful not to hit a cow, and do not wear cow products into a temple. It is also best to avoid taking cows as photography subjects. There is also a very different habit in India. When answering the other party's question, if you tilt your head to one side or shake your head, it is a positive expression, but be sure not to misunderstand and cause undue trouble. Indians who believe in Hinduism practice a caste system, and it is extremely impolite to inquire about the caste and class of local people.

Don’t touch children’s heads. People in places like India don’t want others to touch any part of their heads, and they don’t like to touch others either. They believe that the head is the highest part of the human body, and it is also the most sacred part of the human body. Especially the head of a child is regarded as the place where gods stay, so it is never allowed to be touched under any circumstances.

You don’t have to be polite when invited to a meal. In the Indian concept, everyone should share when eating. It is stingy and impolite to eat alone, so Indians never invite others to have a meal. It is not a pretense due to feelings, but a sincere invitation. Of course, it is unhappy to refuse someone thousands of miles away. Don’t eat with people whose status is very different. People in India and Nepal attach great importance to status. In India, if you have different identities or different classes, you cannot sit at the same table or eat together. Nepalese people also have similar class divisions. In their country, they value "identity" more than anything else. There is a time limit for buying alcohol. There is a rule in Thailand that you are not allowed to buy alcohol after 2 a.m., otherwise you will be fined by the police. In New Delhi, India, Tuesdays, Fridays, public holidays and the first day of each month are alcohol prohibition days. Even people with great powers cannot buy alcohol on these days. You are not allowed to ride on Buddha statues and take pictures. In Buddhist countries in Southeast Asia, tourists who make rash actions against temples, Buddha statues, monks, etc. are considered "heinous sins." Some uninterested tourists were once punished for sitting astride a Buddha statue and taking souvenir photos. Do not place the Buddha statue souvenirs you want to take back on the ground. Although the Buddha statue purchased in a Buddhist country belongs to you, you must have respect for it. For example, if you treat it as a toy, place it randomly or treat it carelessly. Touching it will cause displeasure to the people of that country.

Indians have such good living customs. They pass down the traditional customs of their nation from generation to generation.