The Essential Guide to Indian Business Etiquette

Key Etiquette for Doing Business in India

Manners mean a lot in Indian business culture. So when we deliver India cultural awareness training for professionals doing business in India or working with Indian partners, etiquette is always covered. 

If you’re new to working with Indians or planning on a business trip to India, it’s crucial you brush up on your etiquette.

Making a great impression can do a lot to ingratiate yourself with your clients and colleagues, making getting things done a little bit easier. For the next few minutes, we’re going to give you some essentials to be aware of around how to carry yourself.

This includes cultural faux pas, dos and don’ts, plus general expectations around manners.

1. How to Greet People When Doing Business in India

• Indians greet one another with the namaste (palms together with a slight bow). It’s good manners to return it.
• When doing business in India, handshakes are now more common.
• Indian women may not shake hands with men; foreign women should also wait for Indian men to extend their hands.
• Embracing is common between friends/colleagues, but is only done with someone of the same gender.

2. How to Address People When Working with Indians

• You may find differences across India, but most people will use their first name followed by their surname.
• Titles are important. If you’re meeting someone important, make sure you initially use it.
• Many Indians in business will quickly tell you how to address them or make it obvious in some other way.
• If you have an official title, don’t be shy to use it. Status is important.

3. What to Wear When Working in India

• Most foreigners wear their normal business attire, which is perfectly fine.
• In some places, a jacket and tie aren’t expected.
• Women should dress modestly, covering their knees and shoulders.
• Pay attention to the season you are visiting in, as the weather changes dramatically.

4. Indian Eating Etiquette

• Indians build relationships with food.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Do not touch food with your left hand.
• Many Indians don’t drink alcohol.

5. Be Careful with Feet in India

• The feet are considered unclean and carry a taboo in India.
• Don’t point your feet towards people or show the soles of your feet.
• Don’t touch your feet or play with them in front of others.
• Be prepared to take your shoes off in some places.

In Indian culture, prolonged or direct eye contact, particularly with elders or superiors, can be seen as disrespectful or even a challenge. It’s often avoided as a sign of politeness and deference, especially in formal or hierarchical situations.

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

6. What to Give as Gifts in India

• If invited to someone’s home, take a gift (sweets, candy, pastries)
• Gifts are not opened in front of the giver.
• Avoid animal by-products such as leather, gelatin, etc.
• Gifts are not usually given to people of the opposite sex.

7. How to Behave in Public in India

• Physical contact between the sexes is a no-no.
• Avoid holding hands, kissing, pinching cheeks, and hugging between men & women.
• Men hold hands in India as a sign of friendship.
• Don’t point at people.

8. Differences with Personal Space in India

• Indians leave little personal space.
• They can be quite ‘touchy-feely’ with people they know well.
• Don’t touch Indians on the head.
• It is inappropriate to touch or get too close to someone of the opposite sex.

9. Answering Probing Questions from Indian Colleagues

• Indians may ask personal questions about marriage, children, salary, etc.
• Being too guarded with your responses can be viewed negatively.
• Being open with people helps establish hierarchy and build trust.
• Never complain openly that you feel uncomfortable with such questioning.

10. Approach to Time in Indian Business

• Indians are not very time-conscious people.
• Punctuality can be poor; however, you should always be on time.
• Accept deadlines are always going to be fluid. Negotiations in India can take time.
• It’s common for Indians to change plans at the last minute.

Free Infographic: Indian Business Etiquette

Main image by Michael Cannon on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)