Sikhs and parsees
Sikhs and Parsees don't smoke.
India and the tourist |
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India and the tourist |
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Some Common Indian Customs & Traditions
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"When you judge my religion you take it that yours is perfect and mine wrong;
and when you criticise the society of India you suppose it to be uncultured just
so far as it does not conform to your standard. That is nonsense." |
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Sikhs and parsees
Sikhs and Parsees don't smoke.
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Staring a stranger
In Western culture staring at strangers is a taboo. Don't get
nervous if strangers stare at you - specially in the rural areas.
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Taxi driver & Shopping
In the big cities some of the taxi drivers will lead you to a particular
shop (restaurant/hotel) for your purchase. They generally get a
cut from your purchase.
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Tilak
Tilak is a ritual mark on the forehead. It can be put in
many forms as a sign of blessing, greeting or auspiciousness. The tilak
is usually made out of a red Vermillion paste, which is a mixture of
turmeric, alum, iodine, camphor etc. It can also be of a sandalwood
paste blended with musk. Almost all rites and ceremonies of the Hindus
begin with a tilak topped with a few grains of rice placed and applied
with the index finger or the thumb. The same custom is followed while
welcoming or bidding farewell to guests or relations.
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Time has a different dimension
Indian language has one word for yesterday and tomorrow. Sometimes it
may seem that time has a different dimension in India. Things do not
always move as per schedule. IST means not only Indian Standard Time;
but also Indian Stretchable Time.
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Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory but customary. At the restaurants the usual rule of
10 percent applies.
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Western type of toilet
Don't expect to get European type of toilet in every place. It is better
to carry an extra roll of toilet paper in your hand bag. Don't expect to
get European type of toilet in every place. It is better to carry an
extra roll of toilet paper in your hand bag.
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You and your Indian partner
If in a conversation you observe that your Indian partner is slowly
moving his head from side to side from left to right, it is does not
mean his disapproval but it means he agrees with you. This you will
also see in Indian classical concerts.
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A few tips
Some guidelines are common to all states of India. Follow these and it would
make your stay in India more enjoyable.
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Links - website with Cultural Tips
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