Another non-Western habit is that pointing with your fingers is considered rude. Most Indian people use their fingers only to point to animals or inferior classes. Instead, use a head nodding gesture or your entire hand when pointing to a person. Feet are another body part that has significant meaning in India.
What is considered inappropriate in Indian culture?
Don’t Point Your Feet or Finger at People
Feet are considered to be unclean and therefore it’s important to avoid pointing your feet at people or touching people or objects (particularly books) with your feet or shoes. ... Pointing with your finger is also rude in India.
What is considered offensive in India?
Feet and shoes are considered dirty. Do not step over a person sitting or lying on the floor , as it is offensive. Never touch anything with your feet, and don’t point the bottom of your feet at religious altars or toward people. To avoid this, sit cross-legged or kneel on the floor while in a temple or holy place.
What is respectful in Indian culture?
Meeting and Greeting
Westerners may shake hands, however, greeting with ‘ namaste’ (na-mas-TAY) (placing both hands together with a slight bow) is appreciated and shows respect for Indian customs. Men shake hands with men when meeting or leaving. Men do not touch women when meeting or greeting.
What are some cultural taboos in India?
- Women and their Bodies. The Indian society has always had misogynistic undertones as many offensive words in India are derogatory towards girls and women. ...
- Women Smoking. ...
- Drinking. ...
- Divorce. ...
- Periods. ...
- Sex. ...
- LGBT. ...
- Love Marriages.
Do Indian people use toilet paper?
Do they use toilet paper in India? ... Toilet paper is not standard use in India . Rather, squat toilets are the standard type of toilet and it is expected that you will clean yourself afterward using water from a hand bidet sprayer, butterfly jet, hand shower or even a bucket of water.
Is the thumbs up offensive in India?
Do not point at people or objects with one or two fingers in India. Instead, eDiplomat recommends pointing with your thumb or entire hand. ... Also likely to cause offense is using your left hand to gesture, touch, handle objects or eat.
Which hand gesture is inappropriate in India?
In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unclean because it is the hand used when going to the bathroom, for cleaning one’s feet and other “dirty” activities.
What should I avoid in India?
- Don’t keep your shoes on while entering in Temple. ...
- Don’t wear tight or revealing clothes. ...
- Avoid affection in the Public Area. ...
- Don’t point the finger or touch anything by your Feet. ...
- Don’t take or give things by your left Hand. ...
- Don’t criticize any religious or political Group.
Why is it rude to eat with your left hand in India?
In many parts of the world, the left hand is considered unclean, usually because it’s used for “ablutions”. If you’re left-handed and visiting places like India, Nepal and the Middle East, you may have to pretend to be ambidextrous – it’s incredibly rude to eat, pick anything up or hand over money with your left.
What should we not do in Indian culture?
- Do not wear shoes inside a temple or home. ...
- Do not point your finger or touch anything with your feet. ...
- Do not wear skimpy clothes. ...
- Do not expect punctuality. ...
- Do not show affection in public. ...
- Do not drink tap water. ...
- Do not drink or smoke in public places and don’t do drugs!
What are the two most important epics of India?
The ancient Sanskrit epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata comprise together the Itihāsa (“Writer has himself witnessed the story”) or Mahākāvya (“Great Compositions”), a canon of Hindu scripture.
What do bracelets mean in Indian culture?
It is a tradition to wear bangles after marriage, symbolizing health, luck, and prosperity . Bangles are more than accessories for Indian women. Traditionally, they are more often than not, a part of their identity. Red signifies energy and prosperity, while green denotes good luck and fertility.
What is not allowed in Hinduism?
The majority of Hindus are lacto-vegetarian (avoiding meat and eggs), although some may eat lamb, chicken or fish. Beef is always avoided because the cow is considered a holy animal, but dairy products are eaten. Animal-derived fats such as lard and dripping are not permitted.
Why is drinking a taboo in India?
Alcohol is taboo in India because the Vedic principles and founding fathers condemned it as sinful . Alcohol abuse is also a growing problem leading to domestic abuse or unemployment and alcohol’s effects violate the cultural norms of India.
Why do Indian people eat with their hands?
All Indians wash their hands thoroughly prior to dining , then eat with their fingers, with the use of minimum cutlery. ... Traditionally, the fingers are also used to feel the temperature of the food to one’s taste and to combine flavors.
