Etiquette & Customs
India is a vast country and different customs are followed in different parts of the country. You may find the metros more liberal and cosmopolitan - as would be the case anywhere into the world - and you may come across various unusual customs as you move into the hinterland, preserved over thousands of years. You may also find that in general, the attitude to life is vastly different from that in the western world.
However, Indians are hospitable people and usually take in their stride your different ways. Nevertheless, there may be certain situations where your not following the accepted norm will be seen as a sign of disrespect. These are the situations you need to know about.
1. Always remove yours shoes before entering a holy place - a temple, gurudwara or mosque. Gurudwara will also require you to cover your head. In general, dress conservatively at a place of worship.
2. Do not touch any holy object with the feet or your left hand. Also, do not give, take or point at anything with the left hand.
3. If you are required to eat with your fingers at any place, do not use left hand.
4. Public show of affection is generally disapproved of particularly in smaller cities and villages. Avoid it.
5. Avoid wearing clothes that bare your arms and legs - in the small cities and villages in particular. Metros are fairly liberal in this particular respect.
6. Always follow the rules written on notice boards at holy places. These may include 'leather objects not allowed', 'cameras not allowed', 'menstruating women not allowed', and so on.
7. Giving tips is customary but not mandatory. At restaurants, usual rule of 10 per cent applies.
8. Burgaining for a lesser price is a fairly common fact of life, especially at local bazaars, with rickshaws and autodrivers. However, recognised and larger shops and departmental stores will usually charge fixed prices.
9. IST stands for Indian Standard Time but people will smile and inform you that it may be read as Indian 'stretchable' Time. No, things don't always move as per schedule in India!