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Namastey
Cross Cultural
Communicationin the Indian Context
By: Prabhash, Prashant, Prithvi, Priya
What is cross-cultural communication?
Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among themselves, and how they endeavour to communicate across cultures
India’s Value System
• Collectivist/group identity.• Patriarchal Society- father is
head of household.• Hospitable- accepting of
strangers.• Easily offended when refused.• Indirect in their speech.• Hindi and English main
languages.• Life based around the concept
of karma. • Very trusting. • Inequalities between men and
women.• Avoid conflict.• Highly religious.
Public Etiquettes
Greet by pressing your palms together (Namastey)
Do not hug or kiss
Allow women to proceed first. Do not point your fingers, rather use the hand with an upward palm.
Standing with hands on hips is seen as aggressive.
Do not whistle or wink
Do not let your feet touch another person
Do not make eye contacts for long periods of time
Respect age and seniority Shake hands only when offered
Dress Etiquettes
Men wear a shirt (short sleeve is acceptable), with or without tie
Skirts should cover knees, blouses should reach high to the neck.
Wear neutral colors Shorts are not acceptable
• Expectation differ across regions.• Women should wear pant suits or long skirts.• For social gatherings, Indian attires are seen as
gesture of friendliness.
Conversations and Networking
High non-verbal communication Avoid touching
• Be open and friendly• Express disagreements indirectly.• Appreciate diversity.• Stand when superior walks into the room.• Get feedback from people you have good relationship
with.• Direct communication may be rude to Indians – find it
as lack of interpersonal skills – sign of disrespect and unwillingness to collaborate.
• Employees prefer to be addressed by their first name.
Meals Etiquette
Refusing invitation is rude Removing shoes before entering home
Careful about your food habit Eating with both hands is rude and manner less
• Do not offer food from your plate to other, neither take from others plate.
• Business is preferred more in lunches than dinners.• Eating and talking are often offending.• Thanking the host after meal is considered a form
of payment, hence rude – appreciations are acceptable.
• Lunch hour in workplace is a source of camaraderie and amusement.
Other Etiquettes
Do not touch anyone’s head, as head is considered sensitive
Use right hand for giving and receiving, left hand for cleaning purposes
Never use single or double fingers to point someone. Use chin, thumb or whole hand.
Gifts are never opened in the presence of the giver
Indian women does not shake hands with man usually
Indians hesitate to say “No” – understand their constrains
• Indians prefer an arm length space between themselves and others.
• Rude to plunge into business decisions immediately – ask about family, hobbies and interest to make them comfortable.
• Social etiquette and norms is valued more than rules and regulations.
What ‘WE’ need to do?
Investigate other party’s culture and culture’s perception
Take the cultural and local differences
Practice high level of adherence to rules and regulations
Deadlines should be followed strictly
Say ‘NO’ when required Be direct in communicating and understand low context culture
• Should respect authority, innovative ideas coming from any level of organization should be recognized.
• Understand "monochronic” time approach - be present-focused.
Namastey