Understanding and working with Indians is a topic by itself. Here is a presentation talks about cultural awareness one should build for working with Indians.
2. Objectives for the DayObjectives for the Day
Understand the reality of national and individual
culturescultures
The fine line between Communication Styles
Learn how to adapt and relate to a different
culture
Discover how your own values radically effect
what you see and dowhat you see and do
3. Welcome to IndiaWelcome to India
What do you know about INDIA ?
Can you share your thoughts and feelings as
you have come to a new country ?you have come to a new country ?
What are the things that you would like to knowg y
and discuss today ?
5. What is Culture?What is Culture?
The way of life of a people
It is:
Learned
Shared within a groupg p
Different between groupsDifferent between groups
6. What is Culture?What is Culture?
A belief is a fact thought to be true A belief is a fact thought to be true
Without any knowledge or proof
We just believe that something is true!
7. CultureCulture
Culture includes a system of values particular to one Culture includes a system of values particular to one
group
Not innate but imbibed, passed down from one
generation to anothergeneration to another
Culture influences the behavior of individuals within a
group in uniformly and relatively predictable ways
A way of life of a given society, passed down from one
generation to the next through learning and experience.
– Columbia Encyclopedia
8. The ‘Iceberg Analogy’ of CultureThe Iceberg Analogy of Culture
External CultureExternal Culture
Behavior Behavior
Beliefs Beliefs
Values and Thought Values and Thought
Patterns Patterns
Internal CultureInternal Culture
10. Cultural SensitivityCultural Sensitivity
Understanding culture: Culture is not good or bad. It just
“is”.
K lt Oft h t b id d Know your own culture: Often what may be considered
‘just the way it is’ is culturally influenced.
Be sensitive to other cultures: The more you know about Be sensitive to other cultures: The more you know about
your own culture and the more you know about other
cultures, the better the communication will be.cu u es, e be e e co u ca o be
Being different is “ok” and differences can be
recognized, acknowledged and cherished.g g
The responsibility for intellectual communication is not
solely that of one of the parties, but shared by all.
11. Culture: Similarities and DifferencesCulture: Similarities and Differences
How would you describe your culture ?
There may be similarities and differences in
between our culturesbetween our cultures.
We must build on our similarities.
We must build bridges across our differences
12. Influences on the IndividualInfluences on the Individual
The family
TeachersMedia
The Individual
PeersReligion
CommunityPolitics
Physical environment
13. Cross Cultural SensitivityCross Cultural Sensitivity….
Incorrect assumptions about
diverse cultures
Expectations that others
will conform
CULTURE?CULTURE?
C i ti
The concept of Time across
c lt res Communication
diversity
cultures
Biases against the
unfamiliar
What it takes to
be the Brand
Traditional Korean values in conflict
with values of other cultures
Ambassador of
your Country
with values of other cultures
14. Starting Point!Starting Point!
D ’t t t
What are the physical factors that
Don’t stereotype
Don’t be ethnocentric
What are the physical factors that
influences the changing or
Be willing to accommodate differences making of Cultures???
15. Eth t iEthnocentrism
A belief that my home country’s culture is superior
to that of any other country.
16. Steps of Intercultural LearningSteps of Intercultural Learning
M l i l i
We are not the only
melting pot let us
Selective Adoption
Multiculturation
Can pick and choose
melting pot, let us
go for ‘stir fry’
Appreciation
Selective Adoption
Not bad, it can be fun
Can pick and choose
Understanding
Acceptance, respect
You mean, you did it because of…….
It’s OK to be different
E h i i
Awareness
g
‘ i h l ’
Wait, there may be another way
, y
Ethnocentricity ‘ours is the only way’
17. Let us StartLet us Start...
We start by understanding the Indian culture and We start by understanding the Indian culture and
the Indian people
We will build on the similarities
We will respect our differences We will respect our differences
18. About IndiaAbout India
One of the world’s largest democracies
Parliamentary system of government
Prime minister is Narendra Modi
President is Pranab Mukherjeej
20. Religions in IndiaReligions in India
Religion is a sensitive issue
Y k f i f ti t l You can ask for information to learn
moreo e
Do not compare and contrast
In India all religions co-exist
Religion determines lifestyle, values,
h bit d d f dhabits, dress codes, food
21. Religions in IndiaReligions in India
HINDUISM
ISLAM ISLAM
BUDDHISM BUDDHISM
CHRISTIANITY
JAINISM
SIKHISM
ZORAISTRANISM
22. Indian DressIndian Dress
Ladies wear sari or Salwar Kameez
Gents wear Kurta and Pajama
Where to buy Indian dresses
Prices of Indian dresses
23. Indian Dress
Ladies ill find Indian formal ear comfortable
Indian Dress
Ladies will find Indian formal wear comfortable :
Churidar and Kurta
25. Indian Food and SnacksIndian Food and Snacks
Spicy dishes and non spicy
dishes
Roti and Chappati
Types of rice
Curry Sambar and Daal Curry, Sambar and Daal
South Indian snacks : Idli,,
Vada, Dosa
Indian sweets and desserts
26. Entertaining IndiansEntertaining Indians
Check if the person drinks
liquor.q
A lot of Indians do not drink
Beer is considered as
alcohol
Check if the guest is a non-
t ivegetarian
27. Entertaining IndiansEntertaining Indians
Most Indians (except Christians) do not eat beef
And pork
You may order a drink with the permission of the You may order a drink with the permission of the
guest in a restaurant - they will not mindguest in a restaurant they will not mind
28. However if the guest does not drink, do not order
more than one drink
If the guest drinks, then you may order as you likeIf the guest drinks, then you may order as you like
It is not polite to get drunk
29. Entertaining IndiansEntertaining Indians
Food can shared
Indians do not eat alone if they are with others
Indians will refuse the first time to be polite, they
ill t th d ti if th twill accept the second time if they want
30. Entertaining IndiansEntertaining Indians
You may order what you like to eat, and allow the
guest to allow what he likes to eatguest to allow what he likes to eat
The person who invites pays the billThe person who invites pays the bill
People do not share the bill, unless agreed upon
earlier ( going Dutch)
31. About BangaloreAbout Bangalore
Capital of Karnataka state
Chief minister : Siddaramiah
Kannada is the local language
Known as Garden City, Silicon
Valley of India
32. Indian ProfessionalsIndian Professionals
Do many things at once
Consider time commitments an Consider time commitments an
objective to be achieved, if
possible
Already have informationAlready have information
Are friendly and like to make
friends
Are ambitious and hard workingAre ambitious and hard working
33. Indian ProfessionalsIndian Professionals
Are committed to their family
and like to spend time with the
family
Like to enjoy their personal timej y
with friends
Love technologyLove technology
Physical space is close to each
otherother
Physical touch to show
friendship and carefriendship and care
34. Saying “no”Saying no
S i “N ” i t d l diffi lt f t Saying “No” is tremendously difficult for most
people.
Reasons may be:
People just like to please others and feel that “No” People just like to please others and feel that No
would be an unwelcome response
People are afraid of an aggressive reaction a “No”
might provoke
Some people are just unthinking or unrealistic about
what they are able to deliver.
35. Decision MakingDecision Making
Hi hi l C lt h l t f i t th Hierarchical Culture has a lot of impact on the
decision making process.g p
Decisions are made for children up to young
adulthood.
The perception of respect for the elders in the
relationship of family or seniority in the workplacerelationship of family or seniority in the workplace
We are uncomfortable challenging a point of view
Questions are ok if they come from senior folk
37. Managing time in IndiaManaging time in India
Ti i t ifi i lt Time is not as specific as in some cultures
Get clarity on specifics about deadlinesGet clarity on specifics about deadlines
Check twice or thrice if there are any concerns on
the deadline being met
38. Managing time in IndiaManaging time in India
Confirm and reconfirm
appointments
Don’t expect senior people to be Don’t expect senior people to be
any different.any different.
Meetings starting late are fairly
common
Build in buffers and keep cool
39. Indian body languages and
Meaning of Gestures
Personal space in India is close
T hi i i f f i d hi Touching same sex person is sign of friendship
Nodding of headNodding of head
Thumbs-up sign
People eat with fingers
40. Bangalore Weather and SeasonsBangalore Weather and Seasons
It rains in the months of May
t D bto December
Heavy rains from July toHeavy rains from July to
September
Weather is pleasant
throughout
A t i 28 Average temp is 28 c
41. Maps and Places of InterestMaps and Places of Interest
Places of interest in South IndiaPlaces of interest in South India
Goa,Munnar,Ooty,Kodaikanal,Chennai, Hyderabad,
Kanyakumari
42. Maps and Places of InterestMaps and Places of Interest
Places of interest in KarnatakaPlaces of interest in Karnataka
Mysore, Mangalore, Bandipur, Jog Fallsy , g , p , g
43. Indian CurrencyIndian Currency
Rupees and Paise
1 R i 100 P i 1 Rupee is 100 Paise
1 US Dollar = 46 Rupees1 US Dollar 46 Rupees
1 Pepsi (can) = 20 Rupeesp ( ) p
1 Mineral Water bottle = 15 Rupees
44. Indian HolidaysIndian Holidays
REPUBLIC DAY - 26 JANUARY
BAKIRID - 17 MARCH
VISHU ( South Indian New Year) 14 APRIL
GOOD FRIDAY - 21 APRIL GOOD FRIDAY - 21 APRIL
MAY DAY - 1 MAY
INDEPENDENCE DAY - 15 AUGUST
DIWALI - 27 OCTOBER
KARNATAKA RAJYOTHSAVA - NOV 1
CHRISTMAS DAY - 25 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY - 25 DECEMBER
45. Corporate DressingCorporate Dressing
In India Corporate dressing is
casual and informalcasual and informal.
The key being that you dress
appropriately.
The software industry follows the
same rules.same rules.
46. Corporate DressingCorporate Dressing
For formal meetings and
presentations: The dress
code may be formal - tiecode may be formal tie.
Personal hygiene and
grooming is important
47. Informal Dress CodeInformal Dress Code
Western smart casuals and jeans are informal
dress codedress code
It is advisable for ladies to be conservativelyy
dressed in office and when going out
Swimming pool : one piece bathing suit for
ladies advisedladies advised
48. Attending a Marriage or other
Functions
Custom depends on the religion
Wedding gifts : flowers, cash, or
giftgift
In some functions ladies have
separate section
Dress conservatively
49. Barriers in the
C i i PCommunication Process
Culture
Language
Attitudes
ValuesValues
Beliefs Beliefs