Indian culture is defined by its diverse languages, strict social hierarchy, and emphasis on etiquette in business and social settings. Some key aspects include: 1) India has over 300 languages spoken, with Hindi and English being the most prominent. 2) Indian culture has a strict social hierarchy where roles, status, and order are clearly defined. Decisions are made at the highest levels. 3) Proper etiquette in business settings is highly valued, including using titles, exchanging business cards, and showing patience during negotiations. Punctuality and family responsibilities are also prioritized.

1. Indian Culture by The Apprentiice

2. INDIA
ORDER IN CHAOS
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3. Culture
• Way of living, doing
things & reacting
• Set of shared attitudes,
values, thoughts, goals,
practices and actions
• An integrated pattern of
human knowledge,
belief and behavior
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4. Language
• 14 major and 300 minor
languages spoken
• National – Hindi, Official –
Hindi, English
• English : widely used in
business, politics and
education
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5. Hierarchy
• Strict hierarchy
• Defined - roles, status and social
order
• Decisions - made at the highest
level
• Example - Manual labour only be
carried by the "peon"

6. Doing Business - Meeting and Greeting
• Titles are very important.
Always use professional titles
• Handshake. Sometimes
‘Namaste’
• Suffix "-jee" is a sign of a
high caste
• Business cards should be
exchanged at the first
meeting
• Business lunches are
preferred to dinners
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7. Doing Business - Meetings and Negotiations
• Meetings - arrange in advance, no
holiday clashing
• Punctuality -10 minutes late
permitted
• Family responsibilities - take
priority over business
• Approach and greet the most
senior figure first
• Negotiations – can be slow
• Show patience and trust
• Guides - Intuition, feeling and faith
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8. Appearance
• Business:
Men - suit and tie
Women- conservative dresses or
pantsuits.
• Casual dressing:
Men – short sleeved shirts and
long pants Women - upper arms,
chest, back, legs covered most of
the times
• Exercising: Men - Shorts, Woman -
Pants
• Leather products -considered
offensive, especially in temples
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9. Behavior
• (Never) Touch someone else’s head - not
even to pat the hair of a child
• Standing with hands on your hips - angry,
aggressive posture
• Whistling - is impolite
• Winking - may be as either an insult or a
sexual proposition
• Shoes or feet touch another person-
apologize
• Gifts are not opened in the presence of the
giver

10. Communications
• Word ‘NO’- harsh
implications
• More polite, Evasive refusals
are common
• Never directly refuse an
invitation. Acceptable refusal
- "I’ll try"
• Do not thank your hosts at
the end of a meal. "Thank
you“- form of payment and
therefore insulting

11. Geert Hofstede analysis (k)
• a high level of inequality of power and wealth within the
society as accepted by population as cultural norm.
• gap between values of men and women is higher
• the culture may be more open to unstructured ideas and
situations
• the culture may be more open to unstructured ideas and
situations
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12. Edward T Hall
• High context refers to societies or groups where people
have close connections over a long period of time.
• Low context refers to societies where people tend to have
many connections but of shorter duration or for some
specific reason
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13. This is also India…
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15. References
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture
• http://www.crossculturecommunication.org
• http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/india.htm

16. For a course on Global Culture,
please visit
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