Greeting

The traditional greeting ritual in India is Namaste, during which it is customary to put your palms together at chest level and slightly bow to the person you are greeting.

In business practice, a handshake is common, and it should not be too firm.

Your Indian partner will appreciate it if you follow the Namaste ritual in response.

Men typically shake hands with men, and women with women. Handshakes between men and women are very rare due to religious differences.

If several people accompany your Indian partner, first greet the oldest or highest-ranking person.

During communication, men may pat each other on the back as a sign of friendly disposition.

Wait for your partner to suggest addressing them by name without any title.

Introduction

Names and surnames in India are closely linked to religious, social, and regional traditions.

Your Indian partner may have a difficult-to-pronounce name, such as Chandrasekaran. Practice pronouncing the name before the meeting. Otherwise, you risk offending your partner, especially since some names are also names of Indian deities.

Status holds great significance in India, determined by age, university education, caste affiliation, and profession.

Honorific, professional, and academic titles are used with either the first name or surname, with particular respect given to "Doctor," "Professor," and "Engineer."

In the absence of professional or academic titles, use the polite form of address "Sir" or "Madam."

In Hinduism, the predominant religion in India, many people in the northern part of the country have both a first name and a surname.

In the south, surnames are less common; instead, a person often uses their father's name, placing it before their own.

Formally, a man's name includes his own name and his father's name (s/o - son of a certain person). Women, in this case, use the abbreviation d/o - daughter of a certain person.

After marriage, women use their husband's name instead of their father's name.

Exchange of Business Cards

The exchange of business cards usually occurs after greeting.

Titles and ranks (if any) should be indicated on the business card.

Any materials (including the business card) should be handed to your partner with your right hand; when receiving materials, also use your right hand.

It is not necessary to translate the text on the business card into Hindi; providing the information in English is sufficient.

Small Talk: Overview

In India, people love to communicate. Regular contact with partners by phone or email is the norm. Rare, albeit detailed, letters will not create the foundation of relationships valued in India.

Despite the availability of other modern means of communication, direct contact is valued the most.

Small talk is an important part of the negotiation process, as Indian partners want to know who they are dealing with. Engage in this conversation. You may be asked about things other than your business. Your sincere answers will help build long-term business relationships.

Among the questions you may be asked are: "Are you married?", "Where did you study?", "Who do you know in company X?". These questions are often asked to determine your hierarchical position in the company.

Compliments are a means to endear oneself and perhaps strengthen the developing relationship. Sometimes compliments, praise, or even flattery are used to please a person, for example, a guest.

Eloquence is valued in India, which sometimes leads to long speeches delivered with great enthusiasm. Body language and gestures may be widely used.

Preferred Topics

India is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Indians are tolerant towards representatives of other cultures, including foreigners, and generally accept and respond to topics raised by them in conversation.

Business and related topics are often discussed in small talk situations.

Family is an important aspect of life for Indians, and this topic is often brought up in conversations.

Regions or countries represented by the speakers usually generate great interest. A wide range of issues is open for discussion, including local cuisine, traditions, holidays, events, and more.

Favorite conversation topics within the country include cricket (a popular sport), as well as cinema, especially Bollywood and its latest or most famous films.

Taboo Topics

Politics is a complex topic for discussion. Particularly sensitive are the conflicts between India and Pakistan (Jammu and Kashmir states issue) and the border conflict with China.

The caste system in India is unlikely to serve as a good conversation topic. This system is heavily criticized in society, but it has not yet been completely eradicated.

A particularly sensitive aspect of the caste system in India is the status of the so-called Dalits or "untouchables."

It is also not advisable to raise the topic of poverty, which is a serious problem in several regions of the country.

Sexual relations and especially jokes on this topic should be avoided.

Money and sources of income are not the best choices for conversation topics.

Personal Space

The distance for comfortable communication is the length of an outstretched arm.

During a conversation, speakers actively use body language and gestures, especially if they are discussing a topic that is important to them.

Communication Specifics

India is a country with great national, cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. It is important to familiarize yourself in advance with the characteristics of the region you are visiting.

When people shake their heads from side to side (tilting it alternately right and left, not turning), it is often interpreted by representatives of other cultures as "no." In fact, this movement is multifunctional and can mean anything from a silent "yes" or "thank you" to simply showing the speaker that they are being listened to (but not necessarily agreed with).