India - Customs

India - Customs

by Srinivas K Bhagavan
(Bangalore, Karnataka, India)

In India the arms crossed across the chest and the eyes not making contact is a gesture of respect for the elders and must not be misconstrued as insincere or as with someone who has something to hide.

The english language is spoken very rapidly, since all native languages in the country are fast paced.

Most Indians are very eager to help people in distress. This is often misunderstood as being interfering.

More information about nonverbal communication in India can be found here

Comments for
India - Customs

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

Arms Crossed
by: Anonymous

I agree that "In India the arms crossed across the chest and the eyes not making contact is a gesture of respect for the elders and must not be misconstrued as insincere or as with someone who has something to hide."

However, in North America this very gesture is considered as a barrier to what is being said and insincere act of hiding something, not paying attention or not listening. Both the employers in West and employees coming from India need to be aware of this so that cultural differences do not result in misinterpretation of intent.

Dipak

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Nonverbal Communcation