Business Culture in India:Â Westerners travelling to Japan and China often spend days learning the rituals around the exchange of gifts, tea ceremonies, banquets and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
In working with India, the rules are simpler but no less important. Treat Indians with respect and don’t get offended if an Indian asks you questions about your religion, your politics or other personal matters; this is a mark of interest not of intrusiveness. Keep in mind that some Indians are strict vegetarians; others may refrain from pork or from beef depending on their religion. Most Indians treat all older colleagues and counterparts with respect and deference. Indians may request that a major contract be signed at a date or time that is considered auspicious.
We hope that our Doing Business in India Guide will help answer some of the routine questions we get asked. Please Contact Us if you need more in-depth assistance when looking to do business with India. We’ll be glad to help.