Communication style

Avoid approaching anyone too closely. It could be difficult to communicate clearly; you might need to interpret gestures and signs. People will engage with each other differently depending on their relationships, so pay attention to what others do.

Indian men frequently give one other pats on the back to show their camaraderie. Some gestures are simple to misinterpret; for example, in India, a side-to-side hand wave used in the West can be taken as "no" or "get away." When an Indian says, "I will try," this is typically taken to mean, "no."

The majority of Indians hate open rejection of anything or anyone. In order to touch, accept, or give something, use your right hand. Instead of beckoning or snapping your fingers, extend your arm and curl your fingers inward like a claw. One or two fingers pointing are considered impolite and are reserved for inferiors. When directing someone's attention, chins, thumbs, and entire hands are employed. When a head is pulled back or moved in a figure-eight motion, this typically denotes "yes."