It's okay to arrive around 20 minutes late

Punctuality is extremely important to some westerners, especially when it comes to the guest-host relationship. In India, however, it is completely acceptable to arrive 15 to 20 minutes beyond the allotted time. In reality, if you come at the exact time specified in the invitation, you may surprise your host.

Arriving a little late is considered polite in India. This allows your host more time to finish preparing the cuisine. More than that, Indian hosts appreciate the gesture of inviting you; you may be astonished to learn that other guests who promised to come did not actually show up. This is not deemed disrespectful because the host's gesture of invitation and the guest's acknowledgement of the invitation are the most important factors.