The Common Do and Don't in India Customs

So, you have survived the greeting in India customs. Right now, you may worry that you do not know how to behave in public, or the do and don't in normally day. Well, worry no more (I sound like a sale guy), this article I will cover the entire do and don't customs in a normal day to day interaction. Be sure to read carefully.

"Look into my eyes, and tell me what do you see"

Walking down the street, you should not show public affection even to your love ones. As a tradition country, India does not welcome PDA (public display of affection). Kissing and hugging are out of the question. Don't be surprise that people will literally stare at you with disapproving eyes. As you know, Indian people and their eyes are huge (Sigh, I can't say the same about me eye, which is very chinky).

Even though, Indian's eyes are huge and consider the most beautiful in Asia, but it is inappropriate to look straight into the person's eyes while talking. You can observe this by yourself. India people tend to make less eye contact than the Western people. If you are custom to Western or US culture, just know that less eyes contact does not mean that India people is not honest or less confident. It's just the way of their culture, and I will cover more of this custom in the future article.

You always should keep distance with the native women. Indian women are very sensitive to who touch them. Culturally, only a woman's son can touch her, and her husband in private. You should stay with Namaste to be safe as I mention before. Same sex physical contract is consider being Okay.

If you travel to India before, you may see two men holding each other hand or two women embrace each other with a kiss on the cheek. Please, do not confuse these actions of being homosexual. In India customs and culture, this means these two people are the best of friends.

How to behave while walking down the street

While traveling, you should not whistle or wink because it is considered to be impolite. Yes, this also applies when you see something or somebody that you find attractive. The woman may not come over, but she may whistle back and send her snake over to meet you (hehe). Sorry, Indian readers I couldn't stop myself from making that joke.

In India customs, when someone points at something he/she will do it with his/her chin by jerking it, or with a full hand. However, never point with the finger; you only do this action to somebody who is inferior to you. This also applies when you are beckoning someone. The most proper/common way is hand extended, palm down, and curve your fingers inward like the scratching motion.

When you go into a restaurant, beckoning the waiter is little bit different. You may snap your fingers or hiss, but again, never use one finger to point or call somebody over. If you do that, you may find some extra ingredients in your food. Just kidding, Indian people are quite nice.

Another way you can ask people to come over is wave your hand back and forth or up and down. Now, if you are European this can be quite confusing, because European uses this gesture to said "Good bye." So, just keep that in mind.

As you already know, there are some parts in India that are quite poor, which mean that there are a lot of beggars on the street. One of the rudest things for you can do is staring at them. This consider as a humiliation to the natives. Please be extra careful about this, I know this is easier said than done.

One way to avoid the beggars is never walk on the street. If you want get from point A to point B, taking a taxi is the best option. Even if you want to give some money to the beggar or especially children, you can do it in the vehicle (much more convenient that way) since people are really sensitive. You should always ask permission before taking a photo or picture.

After buying food on the street, you should bring it home and eat it there, since it is consider bad manner for you to eat while walking.

Normal day India customs

When accepting or receiving anything in India, use your right hand and not your left hand. In India customs, left hand is for cleaning your butt after going to the restroom. Yes, this also applies to handshake. If you are left handed such as myself, then to simply put it, "We're screw."

One distinct customs of India is grasping your own ear. This signifies repentance, honesty, or sincerity. Children or servant will do this when they get scold.

As I mention above, friendly padding each other back between same genders is acceptable. However, whatever you do stay away from the head. In India customs, head is the most sacred on the human body, and nobody can touch it. So, if you accidently touch another person's head, apologize immediately to avoid any conflict. By not apologizing, the person may turn you into a "Slumdog" without the "Millionaire." Yes, this rule also applies to children as well.

The rule is vice versa when we are talking about the Indian customs on the feet. Feet are considering being the most disgusting/lowest part on the person's body. With that in mind, never use your feet for anything other than walking, which include use for feet for pointing, put your feet on the table, and so on. If you accidently touch an elder with your feet, please, apologize before people saying something about it. Accident may happen, but this way you can save your face.

Thank you for everybody joining me today, I appreciate that you stopping by. From where I am and wherever you are, have a wonderful night and Namaste.

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