Working in India Cultural Awareness Tips on Doing Business in India

Working in India Practical Tips for a Business Trip Be ready for a culture shock: genuine hospitality, poverty amidst plenty, pollution, chaos, mismanagement and hard working Indians. Do a reconnaissance to understand the diversity that defines India. Communication is the key to success. Dress conservatively: It is fine to wear western clothes, but keep the lines and cuts conservative. Keep in tune with the local weather – there is wide variation across the country. Punctuality will be an issue; delays & postponements of meetings can be expected. Be formal and acknowledge hierarchy in organizational structures. Business cards are as important to Indians as they are to the Japanese.

Practical Tips for a Business Trip

Be ready for a culture shock: genuine hospitality, poverty amidst plenty, pollution, chaos, mismanagement and hard working Indians.

Do a reconnaissance to understand the diversity that defines India.

Communication is the key to success.

Dress conservatively: It is fine to wear western clothes, but keep the lines and cuts conservative.

Keep in tune with the local weather – there is wide variation across the country.

Punctuality will be an issue; delays & postponements of meetings can be expected.

Be formal and acknowledge hierarchy in organizational structures.

Business cards are as important to Indians as they are to the Japanese.

Habits Indians prefer not to switch off their cell phones during meetings. And unlike in the U.S., where it's a major faux pas to take a call in a meeting, Indians rarely turn off their cell phones when engaged in another conversation. Instead there's a lot of, "I'm in a meeting; I'll call you in 10 minutes”. Source: http:// www.pinkmagazine.com/blog/lin_chase.html Indians are not comfortable with physical gestures like a slap on the back etc. Moving head side to side during conversation does not mean disagreement. Relationship building helps get work done – Indians like to talk of family and home and this strikes a positive chord. Some work idiosyncrasies

Habits

Indians prefer not to switch off their cell phones during meetings. And unlike in the U.S., where it's a major faux pas to take a call in a meeting, Indians rarely turn off their cell phones when engaged in another conversation. Instead there's a lot of, "I'm in a meeting; I'll call you in 10 minutes”.

Source: http:// www.pinkmagazine.com/blog/lin_chase.html

Indians are not comfortable with physical gestures like a slap on the back etc.

Moving head side to side during conversation does not mean disagreement.

Relationship building helps get work done – Indians like to talk of family and home and this strikes a positive chord.

Some social idiosyncrasies In many parts of India it is considered bad manner to wear shoes indoors. If you see shoes at the entrance of a building or room, take off yours. Indian food is eaten with the hands. If you are not comfortable with this, ask for a spoon and fork. It is fashionable to be at least 30 minutes late for a party. However, as a foreigner you may be expected to be on time. So keep your margin to 10 or 15 minutes. If you are hosting a meal, remember that Indians usually say no when offered second helpings. Ask a second time but do not insist. Indians are effusive hosts and will ply you with vast quantities of food and drink. Start small so you can have a second helping.

In many parts of India it is considered bad manner to wear shoes indoors. If you see shoes at the entrance of a building or room, take off yours.

Indian food is eaten with the hands. If you are not comfortable with this, ask for a spoon and fork.

It is fashionable to be at least 30 minutes late for a party. However, as a foreigner you may be expected to be on time. So keep your margin to 10 or 15 minutes.

If you are hosting a meal, remember that Indians usually say no when offered second helpings. Ask a second time but do not insist.

Indians are effusive hosts and will ply you with vast quantities of food and drink. Start small so you can have a second helping.

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