Communicating Cross-Culturally In India

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Indian states are demarcated on a linguistic basis, and there are 26? states in all. Apart from these languages there are innumerable dialects specific to each ethnic group. Hindi is being promoted quite strongly in the north of India, but it hasn't been very successful in the egalitarian south. English, therefore forms a neutral-link language, and is used in several interesting forms, most of which you will encounter.

In tourist-spots, vendors, promoters and taxi-drivers, all speak a slightly ungrammatical kind of English, in an accent reflective of their mother tongue. Ungrammatical, because the sentence used is a direct word-for-word translation of the same in their native tongue. You might hear the likes of "I take you sightseeing for 500 rupees" or "You from which place". The English used in official letters is very wordy, excessively polite and ornate. Then, there are the highly educated Indians, who are very articulate and speak internationally accepted English.

Very often, we were addressed as Srimathi Jesse and Sri Ralph, the equivalent terms for Mrs. and Mr. Many Indians bob their heads up and down when affirming something and from side-to-side when conveying a 'No'. Then, again, silence can express a 'Yes' or a 'No'. In addition to listening to what is being said (and sometimes to what's not being overtly expressed), body language requires keen observation too.

The average Indian is naturally a very curious person. Don't be too surprised if a stranger walks up to you, introduces himself and then subjects you to a barrage of questions about your origins, America, the purpose of your visit here, etc.

Women prefer to be greeted from a distance with a simple "Namaste". But, in urban cities, handshakes between both sexes are quite common. Any other demonstration of public affection is usually frowned upon.

The right hand is usually used for cash transactions because it is considered auspicious. Touching the feet of the elderly is a way of showing respect. Indians place a premium on family relationships, and usually live and socialize within extended family units. Hospitality is second nature to any Indian. From the instant they take a liking to you, you will be invited to their homes, to attend their weddings and they would expect to be invited in return

One of the best ways to sample authentic Indian food is at an Indian home, rather than at a restaurant. Indian food is not just unique to a particular state, but also to different communities within the same state. Dining at an affluent and educated Indian's home is not very different from the western way. However, in a traditional middle-class home, one may be expected to sit in a cross-legged, yogic position on the floor and eat with the right hand from a banana leaf. It is customary to leave one's footwear outside the door to the house.

Indians love conversation, discussions and speech making. Conversational topics include just about anything, politics, families, India, cricket. As long as one displays a genuine interest in getting to know them, most Indians will accept you without any reservations, whatsoever.

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