India business etiquette for visiting executives
India business etiquette starts with warmth and respect. Greet people kindly, learn who is senior, and treat each meeting as the start of a relationship, not a one-time deal. This guide covers the basics a visiting executive needs in the first week.
Greetings and first meetings
A handshake is common in business, but you can also use "namaste." Press your palms together near your chest and give a slight bow of the head. The word means "bowing to you," and people use it at any time of day to welcome a guest or a stranger.
Let the other person lead. If a colleague offers a hand, shake it. If they use namaste, return it. Some people prefer not to shake hands with the opposite gender, so wait for them to offer first.
Use titles and last names until you are invited to do otherwise. "Mr. Sharma," "Dr. Rao" and "Madam" are safe choices. Bring a stack of business cards. Offer and accept cards with your right hand, and read each one before you put it away.
Sources: "Namaste", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste (meaning and hand position); common business practice for handshakes, titles and cards.
Hospitality and the value of relationships
India's national tourism site describes guests as family. It quotes the old saying "Athithi Devo Bhava," which means the guest is like a god. Expect tea, snacks and personal questions about your family and travels. These are signs of welcome, not small talk to rush past.
Take the time to answer, and ask about your host's family and city in return. Light topics such as cricket and films are an easy way to connect. In many Indian firms, a deal moves faster when people feel they know you. Plan a first trip to meet people, not to close.
The same tourism page notes that a sincere smile speaks across language gaps. Use it freely.
Source: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India), "People and Culture", incredibleindia.gov.in/en/people-and-culture.
Hierarchy and who decides
Rank matters in many Indian organisations. Senior people often speak first and make the final call. Junior staff may stay quiet in a meeting even when they have good ideas.
Address the most senior person first, and greet others in order of seniority. Do not skip over a manager to ask a junior colleague for a decision. If you want honest input from the team, ask for it in a one-to-one chat or a small group after the meeting.
Erin Meyer's book The Culture Map (2014) is a helpful guide to this topic. She describes eight dimensions on which business cultures differ, drawn from research in more than thirty countries. Her advice is to learn where your own habits sit before you judge a partner's.
Sources: Meyer, E., The Culture Map (2014), as summarised at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Meyer; general business practice.
Time, meetings and follow-up
Be on time. Your host may run late because of traffic or a long earlier meeting, and that is normal. Do not show annoyance. Carry something to read or reply to while you wait.
Build slack into your schedule. Leave an hour or more between meetings in a big city, since travel times are hard to predict. Agendas can shift, and a meeting may cover more than the list you were sent.
A "yes" can mean "I hear you" and not "I agree." If the answer matters, ask a second question, such as "What would you need to see next?" Then send a short written summary of what you discussed and follow up politely. Steady contact shows you are serious.
Sources: general business practice; Meyer, The Culture Map (2014).
Meals, gifts and small courtesies
Business meals are a big part of building trust. The tourism site notes how varied Indian food is by region, and it highlights the Sikh langar, a shared community meal. Come hungry and open-minded.
Many people in India are vegetarian, and some Hindus avoid beef. Ask your host what is best before you choose a restaurant or order for the table. Do not pour a drink for others unless they have said they drink alcohol.
Eat with your right hand if you are eating by hand, and wait for the host to start. Offer a small thank-you gift such as sweets or a book from your home city. Wrap it plainly and hand it over with both hands or your right hand. Your host may set it aside and open it later, which is polite.
This article offers general information on customs. Practices vary by region, company and person, so follow your host's lead.
Sources: Incredible India, "People and Culture", incredibleindia.gov.in/en/people-and-culture; common hospitality practice.
Sources
- Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India: incredibleindia.gov.in/en/people-and-culture
- Namaste: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste
- Erin Meyer, The Culture Map (2014), summary: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Meyer