2. Buddhism is a religion and
philosophy including a variety of
traditions, beliefs and
practices, largely based on
teachings attributed to Siddhartha
Gautama, commonly known as
the Buddha ("the awakened
one"). The Buddha lived and
taught in the eastern part of
Indian subcontinent sometime
between the 6th and 4th
centuries BC. The followers of
this doctrine called it Dharma.
The term “Buddhism” was coined
by Europeans in XIX century.
3. The Language
Situation
India is the most linguistically diverse country in the world. Its 28
states, demarcated primarily on a linguistic basis, speak 22 different
languages in over 1500 dialects.
The most widely spoken language is Hindi, although some southern
states reject it as the primary official language. As a result, English has
become the primary medium of communication across the country
especially between Hindi and non-Hindi speakers.
4. English is the second official
language of India. It is widely
spoken by educated people along
with Hindi. Usually in hotels and
restaurants your English can be
easily understood. In south
where the general level of
education is much higher than in
North there is another language
used as a medium of
communication: Tamil. That is
why southern well-educated class
should speak three languages:
native, Hindi and English. In
southern India people don’t
understand Hindi, so as a rule
they use English. English is the
only language comprehensible to
all Indians.
5. In local shops and tourist
hotspots vendors, taxi drivers,
and middlemen speak an
ungrammatical version of
English – often a word-for-word
translation from their native
tongue – in an accent that
varies according to their mother
tongue. Here you may hear
sentences like “You from which
place” . On the other hand, the
English used in official
documents is very polite,
ornate, and verbose – a
straggling remnant of India’s
British history.
6. Incredibl
e India
India is marvelous country, where on the
one territory one can observe different
cultures, various religious groups, such as
Hindus, Moslems, Christians, Sikhs, Jains,
and Buddhists. The key point of such a
peaceful coexistence is the respect and
tolerant attitude towards each other’ s
rites and traditions.
7. Caste system
The Indian caste system has been
in use for many years. Still today
the values of the caste system are
held strongly. It has kept a sense
of order, and peace among the
people. There are five different
levels of the system: Brahman,
Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and
Harijans. Within each of these
categories are the actual "castes"
or jatis within which people are
born, marry, and die. They all have
their own place among each other
and accept that it is the way to
keep society from disintegrating to
chaos. This system has worked
well for Indian people and still has
a major role in modern India.
8. At the moment in India there are about 1500
casts. These are absolutely different social types
of people, different education and life
circumstances. But according to the classical
division 4 main castes are distinguished.
The first and the highest caste is Brahmin (also
called Brahman).
This caste comprises priests, intellectuals,
highest teachers.
The next rank is the caste of Kshatriya.
These are soldiers and officials. Today
in India heads of big firms, military men
and civil servants are also included into
this caste.
9. Another caste is called Vaishya.
This is a very large layer of
merchants, businessmen, bankers,
and some craftsmen.
The last of classical 4 casts of India is
called Shudra.
It comprises defferent
laborers, workers, bus drivers, railway
personal.
10. Marriage
India is a country of wise traditions and
moral values.
In India in most cases a groom is
chosen by the parents of a bride.
They’re looking for an appropriate young
man very actively offering their terms.
The matter is that a bride has very good
dowry. Its size depends on a groom’s
status: his education, profession, salary
and appearance. If he works abroad it’s
a real treasure for a family.
Though dowry is illegal now,
it still exists. It guarantees
that a daughter will be
treated well in her new
family. Love-match
marriages are rather rare.
11. The parents of a groom decide if
they accept an offer or decline it.
Then they check the horoscopes
and show their children the photos
of a future wife or husband.
Further a short meeting is
organized when two young people
stay alone for 5-10 minutes and
have the following conversation:
- Do you like me?
- Yes. And you?
- Yes.
Before the wedding a young
couple can get in touch on the
phone or mail and meet at the
braid’s place in the presence of
her parents. In some modern
families they can even live
together.
12. It’s the family of a bride who pay for a wedding.
Generally, they’re very crowded. This fact proves why the
amount of women is lower than men. A lot of people can’t
afford to give born girls because they have to collect dowry all
their life.
There’s the system in India according to which a groom of a certain
profession has a certain cost. The most expensive ones are doctors
and attorneys, police officers are cheaper and rickshaws are the
cheapest.
13. Family
life
After wedding a bride becomes a
member of her husband’s family and
even after his death she continues
to live with his relatives.
For Indian woman her husband is
her God. Unfaithfulness just doesn’t
exist in Indian families. Divorce is
considered to be a serious sin and it
happens extremely rare. The
relationships between men and
women are built on mutual respect
and confidence. Wife and husband
take into consideration the wishes of
each other and do their best for
mutual happiness.
14. Children
In Indian families children are
grown up in very benevolent
atmosphere. The first words which
they hear from their parents teach
them to be kind towards
everything alive: Don’t blow a dog
or don’t crush an ant. When
children become older they are
taught to respect their parents and
grandparents, treat children kindly
and to be modest.
Since childhood little Indians
understand that they should love
nature, national traditions, their
motherland, religion and family.
They always feel love of their
parents, they live very peacefully
and know that their parents always
support and help them.
15. Indians are generally very
On a visit accepting people. If people show
a genuine interest in them, most
Indians will welcome them into
their fold without any
reservations. They are also
extremely hospitable and will
forgive most gaffes.
Indians are not very punctual,
nevertheless for guests it is
better to come in time. If a
business partner invited to his
house, a guest can take some
sweets as a gift. Indians put
flower garlands on special guests
as a token of respect.
People should take off shoes before entering the house. They should dress
modestly and conservatively. It’s polite to turn down the first offer of tea,
coffee, or snacks. They will ask again and again. Saying “no” to the first
invitation is part of the protocol.
16. In a Temple
People should take off their shoes
before entering a temple. In most cases
it’s forbidden to make pictures inside
temples so tourists need permission.
Generally, Indians treat people friendly
and sometimes allow them to visit
religious rituals. According to the
tradition, people should put some
money in a box for donations.
In most places men and women should
seat separately especially in temples.
It’s necessary to stick to this tradition.
In some temples priests can draw
people a red spot on their forehead or
wind a red thread around a wrist. It
serves as an amulet.
It’s considered impolite to seat with
stretched legs in temples, especially
towards a priest, an older person or a
sanctuary. It’s better not to put books on
the floor or near legs.
17. Indian values
The Indian attitude towards strangers can be ambiguous. In somebody’s eyes
they’re higher than an Indian man himself because Indian thinking is still a
little colonial. For such people a person is a respectable and moneyed
gentleman. At the same time a conservative Indian can despise them. He can
belong to a higher caste so he a priory considers a stranger belonging to the
lower one.
Sometimes it’s better to conceal some things in India.
For example, Indian people think
that every person should profess
any religion. So even if a person is
an atheist it’s better to become
religious for a short time.
It’s seems to Indian very strange
when tourists travel alone and
live in cheap hotels because they
think that all tourist are quite
reach. If man and woman aren’t
married it’s better to conceal this
fact because it’s considered
indecent.
18. Humor
Indian people don’t like laugh at
themselves because they take themselves
very seriously. Generally, they like rude
humor and can laugh at somebody’s
awkwardness. Only a few can understand
“black humor”. At the same time
foreigners consider Indian humor flat and
ungraceful.
19. Cloths and appearance
People in India should wear modestly. It’s forbidden to go into a temple
in shorts, short skirts and t-shirts. In a temple it’s necessary to wear
long dress and cover the head and shoulders.
Indian women braid their hairs or wear them in a bun. It’s considered
impolite to wear loose hair.
The most of married women have a red spot on the forehead (tikka),
wedding rings, and rings on their fingers and in noses, earrings and foot
bracelets. There’re special rules how to wear them so it’s necessary to
be very careful.
20. Gestu Indian mannerisms are very different from
those in the west. One motion that is hard
to decipher is the movement of the head
res to denote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Some Indians shake
their head from side to side when they
mean ‘yes’ while some others move it up
and down to say ‘yes’ and sideways to say
‘no’. And then there is a third head
movement that is hard to describe. It is
between a nod and a shake, and involves
moving the head in a kind of a semi-
circular motion. It means ‘yes’ too but can
baffle someone who is not aware of its
existence. Another sometimes perplexing
practice is plain silence, which could be
used to mean either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Often
keen observation of the body language is
necessary to throw light on a person’s true
reactions.
21. A common way to greet people, especially women, is by folding
your palms together and saying the word ‘Namaste’ softly. This is
not to say that the handshake is not used. It is in fact a common
mode of greeting between men, and also women in professional
circles.
The equivalent of Mr. and Mrs. in India is Sri and Srimathi
respectively. It is common to be addressed as Sri John or Srimathi
Emily, although ‘Mr. and Mrs.’ is also universally used.
22. Namaste
Namaste, also said as Namaskar by the natives, is a
traditional Indian style of greeting or parting phrase as well as
a gesture.
If you use it, Indians will surely appreciate it.
24. Cultural tips
The right hand is valued more in India than the left. It is considered inauspicious to
accept anything with the left hand, especially cash and important documents. Most
Indians eat food with the fingers of their right hand. Using a spoon is relatively
common if you are eating off a plate, but if you are eating off a plantain leaf, like in
some traditional households or at weddings, make sure you use only your right and
never your left hand.
It is impolite to point one’s finger at an object, whistle and wink.
25. The head is considered the seat of the
soul. People should never touch
someone else’s head, not even pat the
hair of a child.
It’s forbidden to point a feet at a
person. Feet are considered unclean.
If shoes or feet touch another
person, it’s necessary to apologize.
Beckoning someone with the palm up
and wagging one finger can be
explained as in insult. Indians beckon
somebody with the palm down.
Standing with hands on hips will be
interpreted as an angry, aggressive
posture.
26. Conversation
Indians are very curious by nature. A complete stranger can ask plenty of
questions from what a person is doing in India to what his wife’s parents do for
a living. At the same time, most of them also offer too much information where
little will suffice.
It’s common in India. The
influences of Hinduism and
the tradition of the caste
system have created a
culture that emphasizes
established hierarchical
relationships. All given
information help them to
determine person’s social
status.
It means that Indian culture
is a high context one.
27. Just Can't Say No
Indians do not like to express 'no,' be it verbally
or non- verbally. Rather than disappoint
people, for example, by saying something isn't
available, Indians will offer them the response
that they think they want to hear. This behavior
should not be considered dishonest. An Indian
would be considered terribly rude if he did not
attempt to give a person what had been asked.
Since they do not like to give negative
answers, Indians may give an affirmative answer
but be deliberately vague about any specific
details.
For example, if a person asks “Does this road lead to a temple?” the
answer will be “yes” without any variants. It’s necessary to make up a
question in a proper way, for example “How can I get to a temple?” They
don’t like to say “I don’t know” and they show the road with confidence
even if they haven’t got the slightest idea where is it.
28. Topics for
conversation
In conversation it’s better to avoid political themes and specific Indian problems
such as poverty, dowry or suttee in order not to arise confusion. Themes which
are forbidden in Western countries (illnesses or death) are discussed in India
more openly. Sex and homosexuality are forbidden for discussion either.
29. Behavior in public
In India it’s indecent to display feelings in public, for example hugs and kisses. Man
and women shouldn’t walk holding each other’s hands. It’s allowed only for wife
and husband and only in case when they’re alone.
Speaking with Indians people should try to control themselves and don’t lose their
temper. Otherwise, they just stop communicating.
If a person doesn’t understand something he should ask his interlocutor slowly
and softly to repeat.
Any form of private behavior in public is considered an insult. Sometimes it’s very
strange to see Indian men hugging or holding each other’s hands. Nevertheless,
it’s forbidden for men and women to behave like this.
30. Gift Giving Etiquette
. Indians believe that giving gifts eases the transition into the next life.
. Gifts of cash are given to friends and members to celebrate life events
such as birth, death and marriage.
. It is not the value of the gift, but the sincerity with which it is given.
. If invited to an Indian's home for a meal, it is not necessary to bring a
gift.
. Do not give frangipani or white flowers
as they are used at funerals.
. Yellow, green and red are lucky colours,
so try to use them to wrap gifts.
. A gift from a man should be said to
come from both he and his
wife/mother/sister or some other female
relative.
. Hindus should not be given gifts made
of leather.
. Gifts are not opened when received.
31. Sacred animals
Another exotic trait of India is a great number of cows in the streets of cities
and villages. It is well known that cow is a sacred animal and it is allowed to
roam the streets, cross the roads and do whatever they want. They are pretty
used to the traffic and the rhythm of the city, but it is better not to touch them
and be very careful. Because a murder of cows and beef consumption is
considered to be a grievous sin and can lead to prosecution and even life
sentence.
Monkeys are also worshiped by Indians, they live in special temples dedicated to
them.
32. Quiz
What caste follows the highest one – Brahmin?
a) Shudra
b) Vaishnya
c) Kshatriya
What colour is used at funerals?
a) white
b) yellow
c) black
What topics are allowed in India?
a) poverty
b) homosexuality
c) death
33. Sour
ces
India – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/india-country-
profile.html
Culture of India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_India
Indian Culture http://www.culturalindia.net/
Indian Mirror http://www.indianmirror.com/
Indian Culture http://library.thinkquest.org/11372/data/culture.htm