Indians are very conscious of social order and the status of members in the family. High on their list of respect are the elder’s and those of higher social order. Indians are a group of very friendly people and are known for being excellent hosts to guests. An important way to show social status in India is through attire. The women in India dress in a more conservative fashion. Women should avoid wearing anything that is short or revealing. Loose and cool clothing which covers up much of the body is worn in the rural areas of India. In the bigger cities, it is acceptable to wear jeans and western wear as many Indian women dress in this manner themselves. Conservative length dresses and skirts are still the majority of choice. The length of skirts and dresses should be knee length or longer preferably. Plunging or low necklines and strap tops should always be avoided. Dressing like a traditional woman consists of wearing a “Salwarkameez” or “Sari”. Men in urban areas wear pants, jeans, and tee-shirts. In rural parts of India, men generally wear “Lungi’s” or “Dhoti’s”.

Greeting one another in India involves pressing the palms together at chest level and saying the word “Namaste” or ” Namaskar”. A nod or a slight bow at the same time is tradition. It is common practice when greeting an elder of the Hindu community to touch their feet with your right hand. You should then bring both of your hands with the palms together to your chest. Most Indian women avoid contact with men in public. The left hand is considered to be unclean in India since their toilet routine involves the use of the left hand. No displays of public affection is the common rule in India. Physical contact between men and women is rare. General rule, is to stand an arms length from another person. Most Indians are not touchy kind of people. Never use the left hand to touch anyone- since it is considered unclean. Do not even touch money when taking change from someone with your left hand. Do not touch any religious objects with the left hand either.

It is customary to leave your shoes outside the door before entering a home. You are almost always offered a drink of water or cup of tea as well as a sweet. It is considered rude to decline. Be sure you accept it with your right hand as a gesture of goodwill. You should bring a gift to give to someone who invites you to their home for dinner. A box of chocolates or flowers is the standard. Alcohol is not culturally accepted in most parts of India, so do not bring it as a gift. Men enjoy discussing politics and cricket. Indians are very hospitable and do not mind being asked questions. They are also very forgiving to new comers and visitors, so relax and enjoy your stay.