Code of Conduct in India. Rules of conduct at the table

India is very difficult to understand for a European person. This is a very diverse country, where four different religions, 24 (!) official languages ​​and 844 dialects dominate on a modest piece of land (by the standards of diversity). The state of Goa is a tiny part of the country where tourists go, but its study is not limited to swimming in the sea and contemplating cows on the beach. Some states of the country are rarely similar to each other, the only thing that unites all the inhabitants of the country is tradition and etiquette.

caste system

Castes were abolished in 1950, but they still have a huge impact on the life of the Hindu, determining his place of residence, occupation and even social security. In large cities, external signs of caste are almost invisible. Almost everyone wears European clothes. But a person's surname (which was originally used as a former caste designation), his behavior, circle of acquaintances and occupation betrays his family, and belonging to any caste.

There is still a caste of "untouchables" ("dalits") - people who perform any menial work associated with hard physical labor: from scavengers and cleaners to laundresses and shoemakers.

sacred animals

Cows are the first thing India can be associated with. This is a sacred animal in Hinduism, there are really a lot of them here, especially in cities. Cows are allowed to roam wherever they want without being tied. It is safe for the population, but sometimes the animal can obstruct traffic, cause traffic jams, or even provoke an accident (if the driver accidentally hits a cow, he faces a prison sentence).

It is considered good luck among Hindus to give a cow some treat before one's own breakfast. Unfortunately, bulls have not received such honors in India, they are used as ordinary labor.

Elephants also enjoy special honors and respect from the Indian people. Each elephant in India has its own passport, which indicates its gender, special signs, age and its labor activity. Once every few years, a census of all elephants in India is arranged.

Monkeys also have special privileges. In Jaipur, special temples were built for primates, where they settle with whole families. Animals spoiled by attention do not behave very well: there are aggressive individuals, but, as a rule, dislike is limited to petty theft and begging. For these reasons, India can become a paradise for vegetarians, the national cuisine is rich in dishes without meat and animal products. Practically on every street you can see a pure vegetarian cafe, where only vegan and raw food dishes are served.

Indian clothing

Relevant so far. The history of Indian costume is unique and amazing, and most importantly, its traditions have survived to this day. Of course, most Indians (especially young people) wear European clothes, but this has not diminished the popularity of traditional outfits.

Sari is the most beautiful, bright, famous and traditional women's clothing. This is a separate piece of fabric, up to 12 meters long, which is wrapped around the entire body in a certain way. Sari is a kind of dress code for public sector employees. Most Indian airlines dress their flight attendants in saris. It looks very beautiful and unusual, especially when you fly to India from some northern country. Girls from the age of 12 are taught to wear a sari. Agree that wrapping a 12-meter piece of fabric around you beautifully is an extremely difficult task. It is not easy to move in a sari, but it makes the walk special and the posture graceful.

Buying a sari as a souvenir is not worth it: firstly, it takes some skill to wear it, and secondly, it is the clothes of married ladies.

The classic men's costume is the dhoti (loincloth, skillfully draped) and the kurta (a long, wide, knee-length shirt made of silk).

Tourists, in order not to attract attention to their appearance, should follow a few simple rules of etiquette:

- Leave clothes that are too revealing for the beach. Most Hindus are very conservative, especially in rural areas. The ideal clothing is one that covers the knees and shoulders. But the stomach can be open. In India, it is considered very beautiful.

- Take off your shoes indoors. Especially if you go to a mosque, temple, museum or historical monuments. If you see a stack of shoes standing at the entrance to a store, cafe or massage parlor, you should take off your shoes. Do not be afraid, the interior is clean, which, unfortunately, cannot be said about the streets. It is better to buy Velcro sandals: you will have to take off your shoes in a lot of places.

Family life and marriage in India

A wedding is an extremely significant event in the life of a Hindu. Even poor people arrange magnificent feasts for several hundred guests. Wedding ceremonies are strictly observed, it is a tribute to millennial traditions and customs. The main thing is that parents still decide everything: they are looking for a suitable bride for their son, they act as diplomats, sponsors and organizers of this event. Each of the parents tries to outdo the other family in an abundance of wealth and generous gifts. The main wedding customs are when a yellow powder is poured on the bride's head, accompanied by traditional dances and songs. It is believed that this ceremony will bring happiness to the future family.

Men are responsible for the financial condition of the family. Women also work, but most of their time is still spent on raising children and maintaining a home.

India's beauty standards are slightly different from those of the Western world. Thinness is not considered beautiful here. If an Indian is thin, then he is poor and sick. Since ancient times, pomp has been valued in the country. Excess weight is a symbol of prosperity, which only a small part of the country can boast of.

How to behave in India (rules for tourists)

Hindus have no concept of personal space at all. Often an Indian will stand close to you if he tells something. At first you experience some discomfort, then you get used to it over time. The main thing, but step aside, it can offend your interlocutor.

Indians love to be photographed. But before taking a photo, it is better to ask permission just in case (especially for women).

Shaking the head is a special gesture expressing approval, curiosity, greeting, and not just an affirmative answer, as is customary with us.

Local markets are a real paradise for those who like to argue and bargain. Most often on the price tags, along with the price, they write “max price”. If you saw such an inscription, it means that bargaining is not only possible, but even necessary.

If you are invited to visit, bring a small gift for your family and children (sweets, a souvenir from Russia, local fruits, some kind of dessert). The main thing is not to buy white flowers - they are brought to funerals.

Hindus eat with their hands. It is worth taking food with the right hand, the left hand is considered unclean (you can only help the right hand). Alas, lefties will have a hard time.

If there is an inscription “Indian only” in front of the entrance to the temple, you should not insist.

Indians are very curious people. Do not be embarrassed if, in addition to standard questions, they are interested in your salary or some personal aspects of your life. This is how they express their interest in you.

Business behavior and the specifics of doing business, of course, depend not only on the characteristics of personal culture, upbringing and education, but also on the mentality, traditional values ​​and principles of national culture. Asia is a special world that in the 20th century was actively involved in international business life, however, representatives of Western and Eastern civilizations must take into account the type of thinking, and the type of behavior, and the type of doing business of each other.

General features of business etiquette in Asian countries

Important features of Eastern business etiquette are based on the following:

• traditionalism, the ritual nature of doing business,
• reliance on religion, ancient beliefs, Eastern philosophical teachings,
• collectivist way of thinking,
• formal-hierarchical system of relationships, paternalism,
• emotionally restrained type of behavior,
• monochronicity, a special relationship to time.

All these features are significantly different from the secular, exclusively individualistic, cold, rigid decision-making Western type of behavior, where time and exclusively official relations are introduced into a real business cult and throughout the 20th century bring good results.

For reference: The teachings of the East - Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism can hardly be called religious: they form not only a worldview and moral values, but also regulate social norms, social rules and business attitudes, being an invisible measure of behavior in all spheres of life.

Asians are convinced that business is built on trust, personal contacts and unhurried pace. Respect for hierarchy and subordination, attention to personal life and individual reputation, respect, following rituals and protocol in any activity - this is the cult for a typical entrepreneur from Japan, China or India, whether he is the owner of an international company or the director of a small company in Singapore.

Communication and rapport

It is customary to establish contacts in the East through intermediaries with a good reputation (who in the future must be thanked with a valuable gift). Letters and telephone conversations at the first stage are undesirable. In order for a business partner to be considered as a reliable partner, live contact, personal presence, demonstration of involvement in the process and sincere interest are necessary.

For reference: Confucianism developed the doctrine of "li", according to which all the rules and relations in society are established, while the team and traditions play a dominant function.

In addition, the following are valuable for doing business in the East:

• representativeness: a business person is valuable not in himself, but as a representative of a team, organization, company,
• hierarchy and correspondence of ranks: it is important to come to business meetings in strict accordance with the protocol and social status,
• punctuality and courtesy: friendliness, smiling, avoidance of open conflicts and clashes, willingness to compromise,
• restraint: any manifestation of emotionality, raising the tone, gesticulation, hugs, claps, even touching acquaintances are unacceptable (for example, holding a lady by the arm is a liberty).

Greetings in the East still rarely begin with a handshake. In some cases, Chinese representatives demonstrate loyalty to the West and adopt the tradition of shaking hands, but Japan remains faithful to the ritual of exchanging business cards.

The exchange of business cards is one of the most important elements of acquaintance and an obligatory ritual, the observance of which is necessary to establish friendly contact. A business card is the second face of a business person, it must contain complete data: regalia and contacts, a text in two languages ​​is desirable - English and Chinese (Japanese). The absence of a card will be perceived as business uncleanliness and unreliability of a partner.

The business card must be handed over with both hands.

The transfer of the card is carried out precisely as an important ceremony: it must be passed and accepted with both hands, then be sure to study its contents, say the name out loud, live in front of you on the table or in a special case. It is disrespectful to make any notes on a business card, casually put it in your pocket, or leave it on the table out of forgetfulness. It is advisable to have a business card for all important representatives of the delegation.
Usually businessmen of the East organize numerous delegations: each of its members is responsible for a separate stage or a narrow duty. However, a strict hierarchy is established inside, in which it is strictly forbidden for those of lower status to interfere in the negotiation process without permission.

For reference: Western delegations also need representative teams, where not the last role is assigned to translators (preferably several), whose task is to understand complex ceremonials and capture the subtleties and nuances of each stage of negotiations.

Decision-making

To make a decision, an Eastern businessman needs a trusting and personal relationship with a partner. Hence - a long process of negotiations and establishing contact, interest in personality and character, attention to personal life and the smallest nuances of behavior.

For reference: Taoism is the doctrine of "wu-wei" - the practice of non-action. Non-resistance to the laws of Nature and Time. The highest wisdom is to be capable of non-action and follow the circumstances.
Decision making is influenced

• character and behavior: quiet and calm tone, respectful attitude towards partners and members of the delegation,
• readiness to give in on trifles is an indisputable advantage, any criticism: unflattering assessments of both the political or social structure of the state, and the personal qualities of any of the representatives of the delegation are unacceptable,
• violation of subordination: it is impossible to undermine the authority of the leader in the eyes of subordinates, it is impossible to interrupt, confuse, rush or otherwise verbally influence the speaker,
• disrespectful attitude towards colleagues: for an oriental person to put in an awkward position - to show not just rudeness, but even offend,
• a direct no is an unacceptable insult.

For reference: In the East, the key concepts are: decency, "decency", decency, admissibility, politeness. Everything that is indecent is condemned, condemned and insults decent people.

Nuances of behavior that should not mislead a European:

• expectant tactics - the basis of the behavior of any representative of the East: his task is to listen, take into account, but not comment, but only notice the details, the result and voicing the conclusions - only in the final negotiations,
• nodding does not mean approval, the expression "I understand" - this also does not mean agreement,
  the decision is never made spontaneously, depends entirely on the head of the delegation or the highest representative of the organization, the leader and takes time,
• the answer "no" from the representative of the East is impossible to hear, because it is a gross violation of etiquette and is always veiled with phrases about the need to think or that "it's too difficult."

If the decision is positive, it will be directly announced. At the same time, the answers of the Western side should become lightning fast: Eastern people value efficiency precisely at the stage of extra-protocol events.
The main advantage and strength of the business people of the East is that they strictly and thoroughly fulfill all the obligations they have undertaken.

direct communication

Attendance at all protocol events is obligatory, however, even in a more relaxed atmosphere, you can’t take off your jacket, loosen your tie more freely: neatness, pedantry, modesty are the conditions for gaining a reputation as a worthy and reliable partner.

For reference: Zen Buddhism forms the doctrine of the perception of life and beauty as an intuitive process that cannot be expressed with words or specific images. Hence - the equality of views of the creator and the perceiver, the speaker and the listener.

Gift giving protocol

• gifts must be received and given with two hands,
• Souvenir packaging cannot be printed in front of guests,
• usually the hosts of the meeting give gifts, and their value is regulated so as not to discourage or put the recipient of the souvenir in an awkward position,
• unacceptable gifts: watches, fruits, everything related to the number 4,
  acceptable: good and expensive alcohol, elite chocolate, souvenirs with a company logo (for example, an expensive pen), nesting dolls or other national attributes, such as warm winter clothes, expensive art books with reproductions, photographs.

Table protocol

• only the owners are seated at the table of guests, according to the position and status,
• when offering dishes, it is customary to first politely refuse,
• correctly try each dish, but large portions and overeating are considered obscene,
• excessive alcohol consumption is unacceptable,
• sticks - part of the ritual - they can not be waved, it is forbidden to cross them or stick them in rice,
• moving food on a plate is a bad form.

For reference: In Japan, at dinner you will have to take off your shoes (clean and high-quality socks are required), you will have to sit on the floor with your legs tucked under you (men are allowed to sit more freely - crossing them), and you will also have to remember the main thing - it is forbidden to stretch your legs in front of you.

It is advisable to get more complete advice from representatives of culture and carefully monitor the behavior of those present: Eastern people do not make comments, but politely and unobtrusively make it clear the essence of what is happening and delicately do not notice embarrassing failures.
In a word, in order to establish strong business contacts with a representative of the East, one needs not only interest, but also acceptance of his closed culture, agreement with his conditions of many rituals and traditions. However, the result will not keep you waiting: reliability, respect, constancy and observance of even verbal agreements and details is the key to a successful business in the rapidly developing and promising Asian market.

In contact with

greetings

The easiest way to say hello is in the Indian manner: put your palms together and bow.

General

Indians only eat with their right hand, because the left is considered

impure. After the meal, no need to thank for the wonderful table. In India, oddly enough, this is considered an insult.

But gifts are accepted with joy. Especially Western souvenirs, which include alcoholic drinks. You should not give only leather goods, because, as was said, the cow for the Hindus is a sacred animal.

1. Do not wear tight or revealing clothing. In India, people dress very conservatively, especially in rural areas. Western fashion, including jeans, is common only in cities. You need to keep your legs covered. You are unlikely to see an Indian in shorts or an Indian in a skirt above the ankles (the only exception is for college students). Covering your legs and shoulders is essential if you are going to visit an Indian temple.

2. Do not wear shoes indoors. Taking off your shoes before entering a room is considered good manners when entering a house and an indispensable condition when visiting a temple or mosque. The Indians themselves go home in shoes resembling slippers. They wear these shoes only at home and do not put them on the street. Sometimes shoes are removed before entering the store. If you see shoes standing near the entrance, then you should also take off your shoes before entering.

3. Don't point your feet at people. The feet are considered unclean, so it is very important not to point them at other people. Also, do not touch people or objects with your feet or the soles of your shoes. If you accidentally violated this custom, you should immediately apologize. To express apology, Indians often touch their heads or eyes. Also a sign of respect in India is bowing and touching the feet of an older person.

4. Do not eat or pass objects with your left hand. In India, the left hand is considered unclean because it is used in the toilet. Therefore, you need to avoid contact with your left hand with food or with objects that you pass on to other people.

5. Do not be offended by indiscreet questions. Indians are very inquisitive people and often climb into other people's affairs. Do not be surprised or offended if your Indian acquaintance asks how much you earn and ask other questions of a private nature at the first meeting. Moreover - do not hesitate to ask him the same questions. He will be pleased that you are so interested in his life.

39. Etiquette of non-verbal communication. Kinesics.
Kinesics (ancient Greek κίνησις - movement) - a set of body movements (gestures, facial expressions) used in the process of human communication (with the exception of movements of the speech apparatus).
1.Mimicry

3. Pose- this is the position of the human body, typical for a given culture, an elementary unit of a person's spatial behavior. The total number of different stable positions that the human body can take is about 1000.

Gestures.

· Gestures of openness testify to sincerity and a desire to speak frankly (“open hands” and “unbuttoning a jacket”).

· Gestures of suspicion and stealth testify to distrust of you, doubt about your rightness, about the desire to hide something and hide from you (rubbing the forehead, temples, chin, the desire to cover your face with your hands).

· Gestures and postures of protection are signs that the interlocutor feels danger or threat (arms crossed on the chest, fingers clenched into a fist).

· Gestures of reflection and evaluation reflect the state of thoughtfulness and the desire to find a solution to the problem (“hand on the cheek”, “pinching the bridge of the nose”).

· Gestures of doubt and uncertainty- scratching with the index finger of the right hand under the earlobe or the side of the neck, touching the nose or lightly rubbing it.

· Gestures and postures indicating unwillingness to listen and the desire to end the conversation (lowering the eyelids, scratching the ear).

· Gestures of confident people with a sense of superiority over others (“laying hands behind the back with a grip on the wrist”, “laying hands behind the head”).

· Disagreement gestures(“picking up the villi from the jacket”, lowering the eyelids).

· Ready gestures signal a desire to end a conversation or meeting (feeding the body forward, while both hands lie on their knees or hold on to the side edges of the chair).

Each country has its own unique characteristics regarding the culture and norms of behavior in society. - not an exception. This colorful country attracts travelers from all over the world. But not everyone manages to understand the mentality and culture of the Eastern peoples the first time. No wonder. The country, whose inhabitants preach 4 religions and speak three dozen languages, is a real treasury that keeps national traditions and a rich spiritual world. Poverty and hunger, bordering on flashy luxury, and illiteracy - with technical progress, cause surprise and bewilderment among visitors. But, despite their identity, the Indians have always been different from the peoples of other cultures. They are very careful about customs and follow the rules of etiquette.

Therefore, in order not to get into an awkward situation, being in such an amazing state for the first time, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the cultural characteristics of its people and the rules of etiquette in advance. This will allow you to safely and comfortably spend unforgettable days in a wonderful corner of the Earth.

Indians differ from representatives of other cultures in their humility, purity of thoughts. It is on these fundamental concepts that Indian etiquette . Citizens of this eastern state adhere to strange etiquette rules in clothing and treat animals in a special way.

It is not easy for a traveler who has set foot on Indian soil for the first time to understand what language citizens communicate in. Despite the variety of languages ​​​​and dialects (there are more than 1000 of them!), Preference is still given to two of them - and Hindi (which, by the way, have acquired the status of state languages). But residents of different states prefer to speak certain dialects, so attempts to switch to English lead to the appearance of a characteristic accent. So it will be difficult for a tourist, even fluent in English, to communicate with an Indian. It is recommended that in preparation for the "Pearl of the English Crown" to memorize the most common everyday expressions and remarks in Hindi.

Surprisingly, but greeting in india not accompanied by a handshake. Local residents, greeting, nod their heads, raising their hands folded in their palms to chest level. When meeting with an interlocutor, they pronounce the phrase "namaste", which in Russian sounds like "I welcome God in you." Indian etiquette prohibits giving kisses and hugs to the interlocutor during the greeting.

Family values ​​and gender relations in India

The most significant event in the life of any Hindu is. Usually such a thing as choosing a future sexual partner is entrusted to parents. Young people have to obey national traditions. During the search for the son or daughter of a loved one, various factors are taken into account: financial security, religion, education, caste. The status of the future spouse directly affects the size of the bride's dowry (the higher it is, the more property will have to be collected for marriage). Under no pretext should both sexes have intercourse before marriage. But not allowed:

Making phone calls;

In the presence of loved ones;

Correspondence by e-mail;

Etiquette in India forbids a girl to have sex with a man before marriage. No wonder the main requirement for the bride on the eve of marriage by the groom's relatives is her chastity.

Representatives of both sexes are also not recommended to flaunt relationships and openly demonstrate their feelings. Demonstrative hugs, kisses, walks by the hand are a sign of bad taste. Moreover, not only local couples, but also guests from abroad are required to adhere to these rules. Paradoxically, in India, even a child cannot be kissed in front of others.

There are certain traditions that must be followed when visiting the temple, while traveling to and eating. The principle of separation of women and men is respected. Moreover, these traditions are taught from childhood. So, in most Indian schools, boys are taught separately from girls. This is largely due to such a strong interest in the representatives of the opposite sex at the time of entry into adolescence.

According to national etiquette, any action must be performed exclusively with the right hand. It is this hand in the understanding of the Indians is considered clean. It is customary for her to eat, take things, touch shrines, pay for purchases. The left hand is used only during cleaning or going to the toilet. This explains the lack of toilet paper in local latrines (it is replaced by water). Therefore, touching something with this hand is considered an offensive gesture. Tourist in India should know that the seller can even throw the sold goods on the floor if he decides to transfer the money with his left hand. Such behavior is unacceptable for a tourist.

Also in India it is forbidden to walk with bare legs or touch anything with them. This part of the body is considered the dirtiest among Indians. It is advisable to cover your legs with clothes, and while sitting, choose a position due to which they will not stand out. That is why Indians prefer to sit cross-legged on the floor. Stretching your legs, directing them towards an interlocutor or a religious building is an insulting gesture.

Etiquette in India: a feature of local clothing

The bright, colorful and refined clothes worn by the Indians are still relevant today. It is part of the Eastern culture. Men adhere to special rules when choosing casual attire. A typical Indian necessarily wears a long shirt without a collar and a dhoti (2-5-meter strip of fabric that acts as a loincloth). It is by the length of the dhoti that you can find out which caste its owner belongs to. Women's national costumes are sari (a piece of cloth wrapped around the body) and punjabi (an elongated tunic and dimensionless salwar trousers, tapering down).

Local etiquette forbids Indian women from exposing their legs and shoulders. Only the belly can be left open. Tourist in India must respect the customs of the local people. When visiting public places, dress modestly. Shorts and T-shirts that do not cover the shoulders are not welcome.

Sari is recommended to be worn by married ladies. This is a rather difficult garment to drape. A tourist who wishes to dress up in a sari will be ridiculed and condemned by the locals. It is preferable to study Indian culture in such a practical suit as Punjabi.

It is undesirable to take shorts to India for a man. A flurry of indignation can fall on the unfortunate tourist. There is no need to provoke Indians and make them dislike yourself by demonstrating your preferences in clothing. Shorts are considered an element of clothing for low-income people representing the lower castes.

Even today, free-roaming cows can be found in major Indian cities, including Delhi. Drivers are not allowed to block the path of these animals. It is customary to let horned "travelers" pass and go around if they appear on the roadway.

Local residents have a special relationship with dairy products and cow's milk. They are often used in religious ceremonies. The local calendar even shows the dates when cows need to be treated with sweets. Indians regard this gesture as a sign of piety.

Killing a cow is a terrible sin. Many states have introduced a corresponding ban. Even for wounding this animal, a person can end up in prison.

Respecting national customs and honoring the traditions of India is the duty of not only Indians, but also visitors. Tourists must also adhere to etiquette rules while communicating with the owners of the territory, walking, visiting temples, shrines. Indians, especially provincials, love to “communicate” in sign language and keep a close eye on visitors. Therefore, tourists should pay attention to this. Don't challenge the locals by snapping your fingers, clapping your hands and winking. Such behavior is regarded as an insult. In no case should you show your index finger, pointing somewhere. This is a sign of bad taste.

Since the cow is a sacred animal, the use of beef for cooking is unacceptable. Tourists should also not tease the locals and eat this meat.

One of the local traditions is the ban on alcohol in public places. Violators face severe fines.

Going to the toilet or hinting at the need to go there, you can not say this word out loud. It is customary to replace it with the phrase "number one". Otherwise, the Indians will ignore the request to tell where this place is located.

In general, the inhabitants of a controversial and mysterious country are quite loyal to visitors. The main thing is to remember the prohibitions and respect the traditions of the local population in order to prevent misunderstandings.

Note to the tourist: rules for preparing for a trip to India

The period from September to February is the most successful for a trip to India. To get there, a tourist needs to obtain a visa and have a foreign passport. Be sure to check when the document expires. The last trip must end at least 6 months before the expiration date of the passport.

This eastern country is represented by four world religions. So there is nothing surprising in the fact that there is such a variety of religious buildings on the territory of this state. Temples for Indians are sacred places. The traditions of the local culture extend to tourists as well. Foreign guests are required to show respect for believers and adhere to certain etiquette rules when visiting sacred places. Belonging to another culture and observing other rules of etiquette does not relieve tourists of responsibility. That is why it is so important to find out in advance how to behave in temples .

Clothing should be chosen discreet, free cut. Do not expose your shoulders, legs, head. They need to be covered. Ladies should prefer long skirts. Religious people are advised to hide relevant attributes under their clothes.

It is forbidden to enter a sacred place with things made of leather (we are talking about belts, wallets, handbags, etc.). The presence of leather elements in clothing offends the feelings of believers.

Rules of conduct at the table

Indians also follow strict regulations regarding the rules of conduct at the table. The guest should receive all the best. It is he who first tastes the treat, after which the head of the family touches the dish, and then the children. Mothers and wives are not always invited to the table. Most often they are busy preparing food in the kitchen. Residents of large cities, unlike the villagers, are less demanding on the observance of these traditions.

According to national etiquette, every dish of the Indian table must be tasted. Refusal of treats can offend the owner of the house. In India, they don't give thanks for a meal. The desire to express gratitude for the dinner is considered an insult.

How much to tip wait staff?

In Eastern countries, tips are denoted by the word "bakshish". In India, it is customary to reward people by emphasizing the quality of their service, although tips are not a mandatory duty. Usually tips are given to porters and employees, waiters, rickshaws on the street. It is worth remembering one important detail: a person who has received a decent amount for a tip will expect more from a client in the future. An acceptable amount for high quality service is from 20 to 40 rupees.

Gift etiquette and rules of conduct at a party

A feature of Indian etiquette is the optional presentation on the occasion of appearing in a strange house. But the owners will be happy with a small present, as it is considered a sign of attention. Particular emphasis is placed on the color of the packaging material or. Red, green, yellow and their shades are the personification of good luck, happiness. Indians consider it bad form to open the package and examine it immediately after receiving it.

Various things will fit as gifts. Most often, preference is given to local spices. A popular gift for a woman is a beautiful fabric for a sari. In India, accessories (pens) and chocolate production brought from abroad are highly valued.

On important dates, it is customary to present money envelopes. You should also be aware that when counting banknotes intended for donation, an odd number should be obtained, since an odd number is a symbol of wealth in Indian culture.

It is not customary to come to the house of Indians with alcoholic beverages. Local residents have different attitudes towards such offerings. And colors such as white and black are unlucky among Indians, so when choosing gifts, you should not focus on them. Leather products are also considered unsuccessful gifts.

Shopping in India

Indian goods are very popular and in demand in other countries. arranging shopping in india, tourists often buy hand-painted silk, jewelry, clothes, spices. An excellent acquisition is the douri - an Indian carpet, which is weaved using the kilim technique (the use of cotton or silk threads).

It is not customary to buy anything at an Indian bazaar or a large shopping center for the price named by the seller. Local sellers condemn tourists who do not want or do not know how to bargain. During a long and persistent process to reduce the price, the merchant may give the desired thing to the widow cheaper. Such a spectacle (the desire of the buyer to negotiate with the seller) is compared with a competition or staging.

Indian laws do not allow shooting objects belonging to the army on the territory of the state. It is forbidden to take out the camera in government agencies and railway stations.

Filming and using a camera without the consent of the ministers of the temples are unacceptable. It is also forbidden to remove the altar.

Representatives of the business community are required to comply. Greeting in India business partner is accompanied by a traditional European handshake. It is necessary to greet the fair sex, adhering to the national local greeting.

Do not immediately start business negotiations. It is advisable to start a conversation on an abstract topic. Questions about personal, family life are considered traditional in the local culture. In India, it is believed that a person who asks about this respects the interlocutor.

Indians cannot be called punctual people. But business people, businessmen try to stick to the time frame. The Indians also demand accuracy from partners from Europe.

As for business clothes, there are no sharp differences from the European style. The classic option is chosen: a formal suit and tie. If it's too hot, don't wear a jacket.

Women are very conservative in choosing business suits. These are either trousers or strict midi length skirts.

Indians are very scrupulous and are accustomed to scrutinizing every clause of a business agreement. The decision is usually made after lengthy negotiations. In partners, honesty and willingness to make concessions are valued.

Indians have great respect for decisive, self-controlled people who are able to compromise.

The unique customs and traditions of Indian culture make it an attractive country for tourists. To visitors, some etiquette rules seem unusual and strict. But observing local traditions, travelers will surely find a common language with the locals, and the trip will turn into an unforgettable adventure!

To understand the Indian, you need to familiarize yourself with the culture India and the foundations of Hinduism, because the majority of the population professes it. For example, the favorite poem of the Indians is the Ramayana, an ancient Indian work whose hero, Rama, is one of the incarnations of the god Vishnu. Rama is a loving husband, a noble person, an ideal ruler. His wife is the beautiful Sita, whose hand he won in a fair duel. "Ramayana" really reflects the national spirit of the Indians, this work is loved, and many verses from this epic have been known since childhood. The well-known work "Kama Sutra", created in India over 1.5 thousand years ago, in fact, in its full version is a weighty treatise dedicated to love, harmony in marriage, erotic relations between spouses.

Language

Experienced people in India advise to be friendly to others and remain calm, no matter what happens. It is known that there are many languages ​​in India, but there are only two official state languages ​​- Hindi and English.

Almost everyone speaks English to varying degrees - from a rickshaw (a person carrying riders and goods) and a street vendor to, of course, big businessmen and politicians. For the former, however, this language would rightly be called Hindi-English because of the simplified grammar and local phonetics. Therefore, at the everyday level, language difficulties may arise for Europeans and those of our compatriots who speak English just fine. There were anecdotal cases when the servants of small temples said with sympathy to a professional guide-interpreter: “But inglis?”.

Money, tickets and documents

The national currency of India is the Indian rupee.

Do not worry if you suddenly come across bills with holes: often packs of Indian rupees are stapled off for convenience. And then, as needed, they are simply torn off, and this does not bother anyone!

It is quite profitable to exchange dollars for Indian rupees at exchange offices at the airport. Be sure to count this huge wad of Indian money without leaving the cash desk for any exchange: you probably won’t count a couple of hundred.

Throughout the country, cash can be exchanged at hotels, which is not very profitable, or at Thomas Cook branches. We advise you to keep a certificate of exchange: this paper may come in handy on the way back to convert the Indian currency into convertible. This is relevant, because. import and export of Indian rupees is prohibited.

As with any trip abroad, it's a good idea to bring photocopies of your passport and visa, insurance, and airline tickets in case you somehow part with the original. Air tickets will still be useful to you during the return flight.

Etiquette

As a welcome to India it is customary to say “namaste” and fold your hands on your chest with your palms facing each other, fingers together and up. And be sure to smile! Everyone will understand English words like “good day” or “good morning”. The same applies to other polite words: “thank you”, “please”, “goodbye”, etc.

Before entering any temple, men and women should take off their shoes (the floors there are really clean). You should cover your head, this requirement is met in the Hindu "temple", and in the Buddhist "monastir", and in the Sikh "gurudwar", and in the Muslim mosque "mosk".

It is customary to make offerings in temples. It can be flowers, fruits and money (one coin is enough). In return, they will thank you, put a dot on your forehead, pour some water into your palm first, and then give you the sweetness “flashed”. With water, you can do the following: moisten your lips and wipe your head with the rest. This will not offend anyone, and you will not risk your stomach: drinking water in India is of very questionable quality. They usually do not stand on ceremony with sweets: they are eaten or treated to friends.

Food, drinks, juices, tea

National Indian food and drinks are an example of a cuisine unlike anything else. Any dish should simultaneously combine 5 different tastes: salty, spicy, sour, bitter, sweet. If you suddenly forget to say the magic word “not spicy” (without spices) when ordering a dish or drink, then during the tasting you will most likely feel a fire in your mouth.

Indian cuisine is also vegetarian, while fresh vegetables are not popular. But cheese, rice, mushrooms, legumes, cauliflower, etc., depending on the method of preparation, give a huge number of different dishes.

If you are puzzled by the extraordinary variety of unknown items on the menu, then the usual question helps out: “Is this dishez e not spicy?” "What's not spicy for you?" For the duration of your trip to India, make the spell "note spicy" a habit.

The same rule applies to drinks. If you want to try real freshly squeezed juice, then do not forget to ask the waiter at the restaurant not to salt it, not to pepper it, not to dilute it with water, not to add sugar, not to squeeze lemon juice into this glass. I'm not kidding! The Indians are really trying to "enrich and diversify" the juice with the most incredible additives for European taste.

Of the national drinks, you should try “lassi” (accent on the last syllable) - a pleasant drink reminiscent of kefir, perfectly refreshing. It is salty, sweet and fruity.

Another national refreshing drink is jaljira, but it is too specific. If you are a visitor, do not risk ordering it: salt, pepper and other spices in soda are only pleasing to the local population.

In general, alcohol in India is consumed very moderately, and preference is given to beer and whiskey.

To maintain your health, try not to drink freshly squeezed juice or anything else tempting in the street from shared glasses.

Never drink raw water from a stream or other natural or civilized source. Bottled mineral water is best for quenching your thirst.

The opinion about the unique taste of Indian and Tibetan teas is fully justified: the taste of such teas is amazing. However, please note that it is normal for Hindus to brew tea not with water, but with milk, and at the same time flavor it with an unusual amount of sugar. If you do not share such tastes, do not forget to tell the waiter one more magic words: “Black tea, not sugar” (Black tea, without sugar).

Trade, tips, luggage

Be sure to haggle if you buy anything. This is the real East! Bargaining is not only accepted, but they simply won’t understand you if you don’t ask for a discount on the declared price with a pleasant smile. It is best to name a price two to three times lower than the advertised one. You should not scold the product if there are no flaws in it, it is better to refer to knowledge of reasonable prices elsewhere.

Everything and everywhere is traded, despite the solidly decorated interiors of shopping centers and the presence of price tags on goods. Believe me, you will be respected the more the more you drop the price: “He knows the value of money, which means he is a hard worker and a worthy person.” But if you are not bargaining, then it is not a sin for you to ask for a price that is significantly higher than the real one.

During your visit to India, you can take pictures of the kids: they will be very pleased. And keep in mind that there are a lot of beggars in this country. If you pity and serve alone, you will have to fight off a whole crowd.

Tipping in India is customary to give, even if you are fundamentally against it. The amount, as a rule, is 10-15 rupees for the service. Usually waiters are entitled to 5-10% of the bill, and if the service is already included in it, then the usual 10 rupees will suffice. It is customary to tip porters at 10 rupees per person.

Theft in India, alas, is common. It is better to keep the wallet “closer to the body”. Hindus on trains fasten their suitcases with chains and sleep peacefully.

Cloth

In everyday life, give preference to natural and cotton things.

It is customary to enter all churches, except for Christian cathedrals, barefoot and with a covered head (for both men and women). Get ready for the fact that you will have to take off your shoes very often, and shoes with laces will make this process a little uncomfortable.

Requirements for women's clothing in India are very conservative. There is a general rule - clothes should cover the legs, arms and shoulders of a woman.