Socially Accepted Norms
Appearance: Men wear Suit and Tie
	Woman should wear conservative dress or pant suit.
	Men and woman should not wear leather as Hindu revere the cow.
Greeting:
Hinid: Place hands palms together at chest highth. 
	Namaste – I recognize the self in you
	Kya Hal Hai – How is your health?
	Teak Taak – Alright
	Teak Hai – OK
Muslims: Salaam Aliekum
	Aleikum Assalaam
	It is safe to just say hello in most cases
The head is considered the seat of the soul. Don’t touch peoples heads, not even children.
Beckoning someone with the palm up and wagging one finger can be construed as in insult. 
Use professional titles with your colleges, titles are very important.

Dining/Food/Drink
Although Indians are not always punctual themselves, they expect foreigners to arrive close to the appointed time
If invited to an Indian's home for a meal, it is not necessary to bring a gift, although one will not be turned down
Dinning: You may eat with your hands.  Remember that the Hindu revere the cow, and Muslims view pork as dirty.  If you are dinning with Hindu avoid Beef.  If you are dinning with Muslims, avoid pork.
Expect to wash your hands both before and after the meal.  Do not pass or touch food with your left hand, as the left hand was traditionally reserved for less than sanitary purposes. 
Portions.  You will not be expected to eat every plate that is offered, but you will be expected to eat everything that goes on  your plate. 
Do not thank your hosts at the end of a meal. "Thank you" is considered a form of payment and therefore insulting
Business lunches are preferred to dinners. Hindus do not eat beef and Muslims do not eat pork.
Drinking: Politely turn down the first offer of tea, coffee, or snacks. You will be asked again and again. Saying no to the first invitation is part of the protocol

Gifts
 Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. If you receive a wrapped gift, set it aside until the giver leaves
A gift from a man should be said to come from both he and his wife/mother/sister or some other female relative
Indians believe that giving gifts eases the transition into the next life.

Closure
This is a hierarchical culture, so greet the eldest or most senior person first.
When leaving a group, each person must be bid farewell individually. 

Male - 
Female
Position (higher/lower)


Business Etiquette
Communication (preferred)
If you will be travelling to India from abroad, it is advisable to make appointments by letter, at least one month and preferably two months in advance.
Always send a detailed agenda in advance. Send back-up materials and charts and other data as well. This allows everyone to review and become comfortable with the material prior to the meeting.
Email
Phone
Face/face
Meeting
You should arrive at meetings on time since Indians are impressed with punctuality. 
. Meetings will start with a great deal of getting-to- know-you talk. In fact, it is quite possible that no business will be discussed at the first meeting.
Location
Structure
Business Issues
	Negotiations – Contracts – 
Decisions are reached by the person with the most authority. 
. Decision making is a slow process. 
. If you lose your temper you lose face and prove you are unworthy of respect and trust.
Decisions are reached by the person with the most authority. 
. Decision making is a slow process. 
. If you lose your temper you lose face and prove you are unworthy of respect and trust.

Law patent/copyright/IP
India has their own patent and copyright process in their country.  It appears that our patents and copyrights are not honored in India

Holidays
Republic day - Jan 26th
Labour day - May 1
Independence day - August 15
Mahatma Gandhi B-Day - October 2nd
Christmas Day - December 25th 
***Warning*** During Ramadan, which is a month long, the Muslim people will fast during daylight hours.