Non-Verbal Communication
As a Western outsider looking at the Indian culture, it is extremely important to know the right things to do and the wrong things to do when communicating nonverbally. To begin, it is inappropriate to look straight into an Indian person’s eyes while talking. This may be surprising as Indian people have huge eyes and are considered to be the most beautiful in Asia. Similarly, Indian people tend to make less eye contact than Western people do. This does not mean that they are not honest or less confident – it is just the way of their culture.
In India, many of the gestures used are completely opposite then those of the Western culture. For example, when an Indian smiles and jerks his/her head backward – a gesture that looks somewhat like a Western “no” – or moves his/her head in a figure 8, this means “yes”. Similarly, the western side-to-side hand wave for “hello” is frequently interpreted by Indians as “no” or “go away”. You must be very careful when communicating non-verbally whether it is through eye contact or body language; Indians are very sensitive to being beckoned rudely. To appropriately beckon an Indian person, extend your arm, palm down and make a scratching motion with your fingers kept together. Never point with a single finger or two fingers. Point with your chin, whole hand or thumb. However, the chin is not used to point at superiors.
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. It is sophisticated and modern; however it is home to many primitive tribes and millions of poor people. This means that there are a lot of beggars on the street. One of the rudest things you can do is stare at them as this is considered to be a humiliation. When travelling to India it is crucial to learn nonverbal communication skills as not knowing could potentially affect your interpersonal communication with someone in a negative way.
Link(s):
http://www.culture-4-travel.com/indian-customs.html
http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_in.htm
In India, many of the gestures used are completely opposite then those of the Western culture. For example, when an Indian smiles and jerks his/her head backward – a gesture that looks somewhat like a Western “no” – or moves his/her head in a figure 8, this means “yes”. Similarly, the western side-to-side hand wave for “hello” is frequently interpreted by Indians as “no” or “go away”. You must be very careful when communicating non-verbally whether it is through eye contact or body language; Indians are very sensitive to being beckoned rudely. To appropriately beckon an Indian person, extend your arm, palm down and make a scratching motion with your fingers kept together. Never point with a single finger or two fingers. Point with your chin, whole hand or thumb. However, the chin is not used to point at superiors.
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. It is sophisticated and modern; however it is home to many primitive tribes and millions of poor people. This means that there are a lot of beggars on the street. One of the rudest things you can do is stare at them as this is considered to be a humiliation. When travelling to India it is crucial to learn nonverbal communication skills as not knowing could potentially affect your interpersonal communication with someone in a negative way.
Link(s):
http://www.culture-4-travel.com/indian-customs.html
http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_in.htm