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