12 Tips to remember while visiting India

Whether you are visiting India to get to know your service providers face to face or setting up an offshore branch or just visiting the country to evaluate the business climate, you need to be aware of certain things while visiting India.

We have compiled a list of 12 things from a business perspective - to ease your mind about India, to help you deal with the various cross-cultural shocks and surprises awaiting you in India.

1. India is a mix of two worlds

The world perceives India as the technology back office and the next great consumer market of the world. But then, the world also perceives India as the land of spirituality and poverty.

Of course, there is no denying the huge, almost insurmountable problems that remain in India, therefore the perceptions are rooted in reality to a large extent. But the other side is the big consumer market saturated with opportunities. The numbers are beginning to favour India along with those investing and working in India. (include some statistics here to give weightage to the word "numbers")

2. India's 3 Colonial legacies - English, Democracy and Freedom of Press

It's no secret and certainly not a wonder that the English-speaking population in India today exceeds the number of people speaking English in Britain. So, you don't have to worry about language barriers when in India. Even common people in urban India speak average English and can certainly understand what you will be saying and respond accordingly.

Along with the English, Indian democracy and freedom of press are the most appealing features of the country. These 3 combined give India a competitive advantage over other countries and will ensure you have a safe and profitable trip to India. (specially use this point as an advantage over China)

3. Packing - Most Important Tip before you leave from Your Country

In an Indian business setting, men normally wear lightweight suits with ties. If the day is extraordinarily hot, you can dispense with the suit jacket, but start with it on and see how your hosts are dressed.

For women, pack lightweight pant suits with sandals. No short skirts please. Keep in mind that the air conditioning can be pretty cold so bring a shawl or a jacket.

4. Keep Buffer time - To Adjust to the Culture Shock!

Do what you can to rest up before business begins. Get to the hotel, sleep, take a shower, have a quiet breakfast or lunch and spend some time adjusting. In other words, don't think you'll arrive and get right to work. In most probability, it's not the new India but the old India will hit you the moment you leave the airport -- crowds, the intensity of everything on the street, the sheer intensity of the culture.

If people stare at you, or press in on you, just relax. There's lots going on and everything is just different -- the temperature, the feel of the air. Just Relax. True hospitality is on your way..

5. Expect True Hospitality

It is likely that when you arrive at the airport, you'll actually be picked up by the person you are supposed to meet and taken to your hotel. Much will be done to make sure that you are comfortable, a lot more hospitality and welcoming events than you are accustomed to.

Accept it graciously and don't consider it a waste of time or an imposition on your personal space. Don't say something like, "Well, I really would like to be left alone." That goes against the rules of Indian hospitality.

6. Guidelines to exchange currencies to Indian Rupees

All international Hotels have a 24 hours money changing facility. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques a visitor may import, provided a Declaration Form is completed on arrival. This will facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as the export of unspent currency on departure.

Cash, bank notes and travelers' cheques up to US$2,500 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of travelers' cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. which tourists wish to convent into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized money changers.

Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorized persons is not only illegal but also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. To exchange foreign money other than through banks or authorized money changers is an offence.

Indian Quotation	Amount	International Quotation
1 Lakh	100,000.00	100 Thousands
10 Lakhs	1,000,000.00	1 Million
1 Crore	10,000,000.00	10 Million
10 Crores	100,000,000.00	100 Million
100 Crores	1,000,000,000.00	1 Billion

7. Urban India - Your Playground

If your trip is only business oriented then it's obvious that you will be spending most of the time in the Urban India. Urban India is a classic example of Tip#1 - a mix of both worlds.

If you are concerned about the computer literacy or the telecommunications hardware capabilities of the people you'll be working with in future, let us ease your mind. Computer sales in India reached 1.01 million units during the April-June first quarter, rising 8.6 per cent year on year - an indication of the rising computer literacy among the populace.

Also, the number of telecom subscribers (fixed and mobile) in the country touched 120 million in November 2005 with more than 3.5 million additions in mobiles alone. This indicates urban India's rigorous enthusiasm of to increase connectivity with the global village.

So if your phone is not working for some reason, ask any of your Indian counterparts when in India, they'll be more than happy to oblige you with their phones.

8. Getting a local mobile phone number for communication

Getting a cell phone number in India is very easy and cost-effective. Bangalore streets are lined up with cell phone shops; just walk into any of the shop, choose the carrier you prefer, submit the registration form and it's done! Registration requires you to show proof of identity, so make sure you carry copies of your passport and a couple of passport size photographs for the registration.

Note: it is advisable to take an Indian citizen along with you to make the process simpler for yourself.

9. "Yes" does not always mean "Yes"

Indians are a bit wary of saying NO. It's a fact and it's always better to keep this in mind. During a meeting if someone says "We'll try," it usually means 'we really can't, but we don't want to tell this to you.' It's a diplomatic way.

The best way to tackle this will be to avoid asking questions that require a yes or no as answers. Perhaps you can ask more specific questions like "when can you finish this," instead of "can you finish it by this time." This puts them into a must-answer position and once they're committed to a certain time, they usually never fall short of keeping the commitment.

What if you're asking questions and you see heads nod, as if in assent? Don't interpret this as a, 'Yes'. It really means, 'I am listening... I understand what you are saying.'

10. The Right Hand Rule

It is the Indian tradition to give and take anything important using the right hand. This tradition is firmly rooted in the minds of Indians and is usually followed by all, even people who are physically left-handed.

Business cards, documents, or anything related to business must be transacted with your right hand. This, however, does not mean you'll have to use you're right hand for writing if you're a naturally left-handed person.

The right hand rule also applies to food. Don't touch food with your left hand. If you're reaching for bread, fruit or anything else, use your right hand. Don't even use your left hand to tear bread apart. Use one hand for the operation.

11. Use Last Names until Told Otherwise

If you're meeting people for the first time don't immediately jump to first names - use the honorific and their last name. Learn how to pronounce the names and find out whether somebody is a Mr., Miss or Mrs. Try and get information about everybody you'll be meeting with from whomever you're corresponding with prior to leaving.

Of course, names can be lengthy and look deceptively hard to say. In India, you meet somebody, just ask: "Mr. Anantharaman, would you please help me to pronounce your name right?" Mr. Anantharaman won't mind and will be happy to help you out. Then practice it a couple of times after you've been told. It's important it get it right - you won't be corrected if you get it wrong; and if you get it right, it helps on the relationship-building.

12. Don't Have to Say "Thank You" for Everything

In India, the American tendency of, "Thank you," and "Please," comes across as a bit funny, even a little insincere. If somebody does something for which you're grateful, a little nod of the head and a warm smile will suffice. That way, thankfulness is shown without much fuss and received without much fuss.

However, when the meeting is over and you're either back home or you've moved on don't forget to say thank you either over phone, or in person or through mail.