What is disrespectful in Indian culture? (2023)

What is considered most respectful in Indian culture?

Meeting and Greeting

Westerners may shake hands, however, greeting with 'namaste' (na-mas-TAY) (placing both hands together with a slight bow) is appreciated and shows respect for Indian customs. Men shake hands with men when meeting or leaving. Men do not touch women when meeting or greeting.

Indians tend to be conscious of how their behaviour may reflect on their family or community. Many tend to emphasise humility and the preservation of their own and collective reputation, dignity and honour. For example, Indians may speak indirectly to avoid conflict and maintain social harmony .

Eye Contact: In general, Indians prefer to keep eye contact minimal or avert their eyes from the opposite gender rather than sustaining eye contact. Some women may avoid eye contact altogether. Direct eye contact is generally appropriate so long as you divert your gaze every so often.

In India, people—especially when they are your elders, relatives, or close friends—tend to feel that by thanking them, you're violating your intimacy with them and creating formality and distance that shouldn't exist. They may think that you're closing off the possibility of relying on each other in the future.

Treat Indian elders with visible respect. For example, address them first and defer to their opinion. Always sit lower than them, and avoid speaking directly or harshly. Be patient when making decisions or negotiating with your Indian counterpart.

For most things, the Indian mentality is that “anything can happen.”This is the basis of the Indian mentality of coexistence, which is essential to India's diversity. It is the Indian way of life to accept the behaviors of others, thinking that anything can happen.

Can I Wear Shorts in India? In touristy beach areas like Goa, shorts are perfectly fine, and in cities like Mumbai shorts are commonly worn too (by women as well as men).

Feeding Each Other. The other way in which Indians express love in a relationship is by feeding each other, no matter where they are. Though, it seems to be uncomfortable for others around, it doesn't matter to the couple.

Why do Indian people stare?

It is a part of human nature to give special attention to anything that is new or unusual. For a lot of people in India, experiencing a new culture, skin colour, accent, way of dressing, eating habits, or a lifestyle; creates a sense of curiosity, and results in uninvited Indians staring.

Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and haram).

Public display of affection a.k.a PDA is regarded as unacceptable in India. Kissing and hugging in public is a taboo. However, same-sex physical contact is allowed.

The practice of eating with one's hands, specifically your fingers, originated within Ayurvedic teachings, where it is believed that our bodies are in sync with the five elements of nature and each finger is an extension of one of these five elements.

Head, Hands, and Feet

In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unclean because it is the hand used when going to the bathroom, for cleaning one's feet and other “dirty” activities. Always eat and interact with people with your right (“clean”) hand.

Known as Namaskara Mudra. Probably the most familiar gesture in all of Indian physical culture. This can be a deeply felt sign of reverence or simply a polite form of greeting.

Both men and women travelers should have pants and avoid tank tops as clothes to wear in India. In India, attire for women (if you really want to look like a local) includes long skirts that go down to the ankle instead of pants. While T-shirts are acceptable, always err on the side of modesty.

Indians have been described as eternal optimists: philosophical, laid-back and resilient. One Indian said: "We are comfortable in our skins. No existential angst or Freudian guilt torments us.” Indians like to talk, converse, gossip, engage in animated discussions, indulge in conspiracies and watch soap opera dramas.

This is mainly due to the fact that walking ensures proper supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart which in turn causes better blood circulation.

How can I apologize in India?

Instead, Indians prefer a bunch of phrases when asking for an apology and to say “sorry” in Hindi. Most commonly, “sorry” in Hindi translation means क्षमा (ksamaa) or माफ़ी (maafii), and other similar words which you'll be learning in this article. “To say sorry” meaning in Hindi is माफ़ी माँगना (maafii maangaNaa).

Traditional Indian clothing for women in the north and east are saris worn with choli tops; a long skirt called a lehenga worn with choli and a dupatta scarf to create an ensemble called a ghagra choli; or shalwar kameez suits, while many south Indian women traditionally wear sari and children wear pattu langa.

Popularity: Geetika is the most popular girl's name in India, with the U.S.

Marriage is universal, the divorce rate is low, and there are few single-person households because of adults remaining single and childless. Demographic conditions for joint family households remain strong.

Indian Culture has a variety of religions like Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, etc. while in Western Culture the people mostly belong to Christianity. In Indian Culture, joint families are common, however nuclear families are also there. Conversely, In Western Culture, small families are there.

Workplaces in India are hierarchical, based on age and position. Most Indians do not feel comfortable speaking in a direct , frank manner with those they do not have a strong relationship with. Therefore, expect indirect , circuitous communication to occur to reach an agreement or deal.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that it's a conservative country, which means avoiding bare shoulders, cleavage and lots of leg. Here's a complete packing list for what to wear in India.

The general rule of thumb is this: modesty is key. Women, in general, should avoid showing their knees, cleavage and shoulders. A bit of a bare midriff is alright, but if you're unsure, avoid it. For men, it is slightly easier, but they should avoid wearing shorts that are shorter than knee-length.

Can I wear sandals in India?

For this reason, when traveling in India it's practical to wear slip-on shoes or sandals that can be easily removed. Indoors, people are generally barefoot or sometimes wear indoor footwear like flip flops or slippers. If you're not comfortable being barefoot it's okay to wear socks.

India is the world's largest democracy, with a 1.3 billion population. It is also the world's second largest country, after China's 1.4 billion population.

One of the great themes pervading Indian life is social interdependence. People are born into groups—families, clans, subcastes, castes, and religious communities—and feel a deep sense of inseparability from these groups.

India is considered the birthplace of some of the world's major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. Today, other religions such as Muslim and Christianity have worked their way into the population as well, though Hinduism remains the most popular.

Head, Hands, and Feet

In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unclean because it is the hand used when going to the bathroom, for cleaning one's feet and other “dirty” activities. Always eat and interact with people with your right (“clean”) hand.

Indian culture is one of the oldest and most diverse cultures in the world. Still, many Indians are stick to their culture. Indian's way of hospitality, greeting, ethics, belongingness, unity, adapting behaviour makes India unique in sustaining it's culture over than rest of the world.

India is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion plays a central and definitive role in the life of many of its people. Although India is a secular Hindu-majority country, it has a large Muslim population.

Hindus celebrate Diwali, Holi and Makar Sakranti, Muslims observe Eid, Baisakhi (crop harvesting) is a Sikh festival, Jains commemorate Mahavir Jayanti and Buddhists mark Buddha's birthday.

Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul, and they're all part of the supreme soul.

Is it rude to say thank you in India?

In India, people—especially when they are your elders, relatives, or close friends—tend to feel that by thanking them, you are violating your intimacy with them and creating formality and distance that shouldn't exist. They may think that you are closing off the possibility of relying on each other in the future.

In many parts of India and during formal occasions, it is common for people to greet with the traditional Hindu greeting of “Namaste” ('I greet the divine within you'). This is accompanied with a nod of the head or a bow depending on the status of the person you are greeting.

This is mainly due to the fact that walking ensures proper supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart which in turn causes better blood circulation.

Ahimsa, unity in diversity; yoga, ayurveda and vegetarian diet; vasudaiva kutumbakam, atithi devo bhav, Parliamentary democracy, spiritual path, care for the environment and Jugaad are India's core values that can guide humanity on the path of peace and prosperity in the new millennium.

Indian culture has been changing over the past few years due to the influence of western culture and Westernisation is affecting one of the world's oldest and richest cultures by taking away the traditions, customs and family values that were once predominant in traditional Indian household.

Clothing of India. Clothing for most Indians is also quite simple and typically untailored. Men (especially in rural areas) frequently wear little more than a broadcloth dhoti, worn as a loose skirtlike loincloth, or, in parts of the south and east, the tighter wraparound lungi.

Traditional family values

Traditionally, the Indian family adhere to a patriarchal ideology, endorsing traditional gender role preferences, and abstains to the 'joint family' structure, where three or four generations including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and grandparents will all live under one roof.

In the projected scenario, as of 2020 about 15% of Indians are Muslim (vs. 14.2% in the 2011 census), 79% are Hindu (vs. 79.8% in 2011), and 2% are Christian (in line with 2011). In 2050, Hindus are projected to represent about 77% of Indians, Muslims 18% and Christians still 2%.