Business Etiquette in India
India has strong cultural norms that need to be respected when conducting business. If you ignore these rules, you could offend your Indian counterparts, preventing important business deals from being signed. Business in India is generally more informal compared to other areas in Asia, such as China and Japan. However, simple actions, such as using your left hand, can be seen as highly offensive.
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Shaking Hands
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Handshakes should be given between men at the start of a meeting. These should be short and light, not firm. However, you should only shake a woman's hand if she offers it herself; otherwise, it is seen as predatory and offensive. In the absence of a handshake, put the palms of both hands together under the chin and lean forward slightly in a bow while saying "namaste."
Time Keeping
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Punctuality is not a priority in Indian culture, and traffic problems often make time keeping difficult. To avoid getting frustrated make sure you leave a lot of time in your schedule for a meeting or appointment and try and fix meetings with a margin such as 11 a.m. to noon instead of just 11. Many times, government officials will deliberately keep you waiting in order to show their priority.
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Meetings
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It is polite to begin meetings with small talk before discussing business matters. Hosts generally offer their visitors drinks (typically tea) and snack food such as cookies or crackers during the meeting, and it is polite and a sign of respect to accept this offer regardless of whether you are hungry or not. However, be sure to leave something on the plate. If it is empty, Indians take it as a sign you want more, and the plate will be refilled. Do not eat with your left hand. Indians look at this as your toilet hand and consider it unclean.
Business Cards
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Unlike in China or Japan, the system of giving and receiving business cards in India is very informal. Business cards are normally written in English, and it is not expected for them to be translated into local languages. You do not have to admire the card, but can put it straight in your pocket. Once again, though, do not use your left hand.
Approach
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Aggressive or pushy behavior is seen as disrespectful and often leads to Indians becoming introverted, unmotivated and difficult to communicate with. Humor is not common in the workplace and so jokes are unlikely to be well-received.
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References
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- Photo Credit business 3 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com
