3. • 6000 year old civilization
• 325 languages spoken –
1,652 dialects
• 23 Official languages
• 29 states, 7 union
territories
• World’s largest democracy
10. • Polite and indirect.
• Directness = rude.
West India
Head Tilt/Shake I don’t know
Agreement/
Understanding
Nodding
Agreement/
Understanding
I am being polite
• ‘Maybe’ or ‘I'll do my best’ or Silence = NO
• Message is delivered via tone, body language,
past history and often by what is NOT said
11. • multi-generational patriarchal joint families
• Arranged marriages, Divorce rate is <1%
• Dowry is still prevalent
• Older people are called Uncle or Auntie
• Friendship is usually within the same gender.
• Tends to run more deeper than in the West with more physical affection
shown towards each other
Caste System
Marriage
& Family
15. • Wash and dry hands prior to
dining, eat with fingers, without
any cutlery
• Only the tips of the fingers are used
and only the right hand is used for
eating and the other remains dry and
only used to pass dishes or to serve or
drink water.
• Homemaker keeps an eye on the table, bringing
and offering more food.
• It is customary to share your dish
• Leaving food on your plate is not
appreciated
TandooriButter Chicken
RiceRoti Naan
North Indian Thali
Dosa & Idli
Paneer Tikka Masala
Dal
South Indian Thali
