INDIA

LANGUAGE

* Although Hindi is India's national language, almost all Indian officials, civil servants and business people have an excellent command of English.

BUSINESS ATTIRE

* The climate in India can be very hot, so it is advisable to wear lightweight clothing to avoid discomfort.

* For business meetings, men and women should wear a lightweight or tropical suit. Men should wear a jacket and tie when making official calls or attending formal occasions.

INTRODUCTIONS

* Always present a business card when introducing yourself.

* Refer to business contacts by their surname, rather than by their given name. In an Indian organisation, established hierarchies are to be respected. Indian employees address their superiors formally and, unless told otherwise, it is advisable to do the same. Men should be referred to as "Mr" and women as "Mrs" or "Miss," depending on their marital status.

BUSINESS HOURS

* Government offices work a five-day week from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

* Department stores are usually open until around 7pm and small privately run shops and restaurants often keep longer hours.

MONEY

* The official unit of currency in India is the rupee. The US dollar is widely accepted as an unofficial unit of currency and is the most easily exchanged foreign money in India.

* Travellers's cheques (particularly those in US dollars) and foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at most banks around India. Always allow plenty of time for money exchanges, as the red tape involved in such transactions can be time-consuming.

* If venturing out into rural India, always change money before setting off, as foreign currency exchanges can be few and far between.

GIFTS

* Although India is a predominantly Hindu country, India has the second-highest population of Muslims in the world. On the whole, Indian Muslims are more liberal than people in countries such as Saudi Arabia, but many would still be offended by a gift of alcohol or products made from pig skin.

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

* The quality of postal services in India can vary between efficient, as in most major cities, and lamentable, as in some small sub-regional centres.

* If staying in a large hotel, it is often less time-consuming to use the postal service provided by your hotel concierge desk. Large hotels usually offer phone/fax facilities at a reasonable cost.

* On the whole, telephone services in India are quite unreliable and it is advisable to use established connections such as those in large hotels and companies when making calls out of the country.

GENERAL

* The predominant religions in India are Hinduism and Islam and foreigners conducting business in India should ensure that they do not openly flout established religious conventions.

* Hindus consider the cow to be a sacred animal and must never be offered beef products. It is important to remember that a large proportion of the Indian population is vegetarian. Always bear this in mind when conducting business over a meal.

* When dealing with Muslims, avoid pork as it is not consumed by Muslims. Products made from pigskin are also considered unclean.

* In India, the significance of a business arrangement is often determined by the amount of time spent during negotiations. Be prepared for a lengthy negotiating process and do not become frustrated by delays.

* It is important to spend time establishing personal and social relationships with Indian business contacts, as such relationships are a vital prerequisite to conducting business.

* Having a local partner in India is of great assistance when dealing with the government or officialdom.

* It is inadvisable to expect punctuality in India. Do not schedule too many appointments in one day.

* Always be prepared for lengthy delays when dealing with the government.

* When negotiating with Indian people, never adopt a didactic position, as this will inspire resentment. Always maintain a low profile and avoid criticising Indian institutions. Most Indian business people are knowledgeable about western business practices and dislike foreigners telling them what to do.

Return to Asia Pulse's Guide to Business Etiquette in Asia

Return to our Page Added July 8, 1998