Culture Shock in India

India, its unmatched diversity of appearance and contrasts of character, can be enthralling and mystifying at the same time. Upon first impression, expats may find the country and culture shocking; its hot and humid climate, muddled traffic blocks and hodgepodge of overexcited hawkers and guides are a lot to handle initially.  

That said, if you can muster some patience and give yourself some time to adapt, it’s likely you’ll be looking at the nation in an entirely different light as time passes.

India presents immense opportunities to open up socially, as hospitality is the foremost cultural ethic taught from childhood. Expats are often surprised to see the extent to which Indians are helpful and always ready to mingle with people of different origins.

In a nutshell, the country welcomes all with warmth, it just takes a bit of effort and understanding to overcome culture shock and become comfortable with the attitude and approach of the nation. The differences and varied outlooks are, after all, one of India’s most attractive qualities.
 

India has successfully created an atmosphere for the coexistence of traditionalism and modernism by accepting many Western ways of living and working.

It follows that the corporate culture is similar to the West in its work process and creativity. Office attire varies, though most workplaces accept either formal or semi-formal dress; certain organisations even allow casual wear subject to occasions (client and other important meetings are preferred in formal business attire).

In the process of making a comfortable stay for expats, many corporates even provide expats with cross-cultural training classes in understanding the difference in culture, beliefs, ways of dealing with Indians and language.
 

Women are treated equally in the office, and instances of the ‘glass ceiling’ are rare, but still present in case-specific scenarios (but this can be the case anywhere in the world).

Women should be cautious about their dress, and consider their destination and the occasion when choosing their attire. On one hand, metropolitans and major cities in India are open to any kind of dress, on the other hand, in crowded places, in local markets and in smaller towns, women will want to dress more conservatively to avoid offending anyone or attracting unwanted attention.

Furthermore, instances of teasing occur more frequently when women (especially of foreign origin) are found alone late at night. It is advisable to travel in a group after dark, particularly in unknown places.
 

Overcoming a language barrier is not a major challenge in India, as English is widely spoken in large cities and in the workplace.

That said, it is advised expats plan their route well before they go anywhere, as local vendors might not be able to help you effectively with directions and guidance. Additionally, it is always advised to choose your day-to-day vendors carefully, and provide them with instructions in a precise and expressive fashion.
 

There are no strict ways to greet in India, and as a matter of fact, Indian ways of greeting vary with geography as well as according to religion. Given the exposure to worldwide media and the history of colonial rule in the nation, people are accustomed to normal English ways of greeting; such as “Hi”, “Hello” and “How are you?”. Don’t be surprised if someday you find a youngster greeting you with “Howdy” or “Wassup” – American movies are popular and are constantly influencing the way Indians behave.

Additionally, don't believe the popular myth that shaking hands with your left hand is unclean. Though this may have been a solid truth at one point, in modern day India it is not so, and expats can feel free to shake or extend either one of their hands in greeting.
 

Assortments of eateries offer a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from continental to oriental. Expats should pick where they intend to dine and drink carefully because hygiene can be an issue at local restaurants. Though in most cities, plenty of hotels, restaurants, discos, pubs and bars are available that cater to the expectations of a global clientele.

Expats should certainly try Indian delicacies during their stay. Each different state/part of India offers its own exotic tastes; each claiming its own superiority in the epicurean collage of Indian food. In the North, the spicy cuisines of Punjab and Rajasthan can be found, and in the South, Dosa, Utthapam and Idli feature milder, but more complex offerings – In the middle of the nation innumerable opportunities to sample different tastes exist.

While accepted behaviour within a club, restaurant or the confines of your home, drinking and smoking should not be done in public places, like parks and along the streets, and is considered an offence. Expats should note that Gujarat is the only state in India where liquor is available only at licensed hotels and has to be consumed within the confines of hotel rooms.

Tips to overcoming culture shock in India

• Shoes should be taken off before entering mosques, temples and other places of worship (in churches it is fine), put a cloth on your head before entering a mosque or gurudwara (place of worship for Sikhs)
• Women can be very sensitive towards slang and casual gestures, be mindful of your spoken language and your body language
• One should avoid being too friendly with local guides, autorickshaw drivers etc. - just to avoid cases of fraud and theft
• Only purified or mineral bottled water should be consumed in day-to-day life, as most of the water supply is contaminated