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.

1. PICTUREPICTURE
Cultural
Awareness
inin
INDIA

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 ?

4. Culture: PerceptionsCulture: Perceptions
INDIA

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

9. Understanding CultureUnderstanding Culture
Culture
ValuesValues
Beliefs
B h iBehaviors
The more a person understands the influence of culture
the more effective communication can be

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

19. Diverse CultureDiverse Culture

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

24. Indian Food and SnacksIndian Food and Snacks

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

36. Concept of TimeConcept of Time

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

50. Success is directly proportional to
IMPLEMENTATION

51. GET IN TOUCHG
STAY IN TOUCH
Email : brian@stimulusconsulting.com
stimulus@vsnl netstimulus@vsnl.net