MBA India Trip Book Report #3

The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture
India
by Nicki Grihault

Overview
    Nicki Grihault, an English travel writer, has traveled and worked abroad for many years. She has spent much of that time in India and wrote this guide to help others to avoid social faux pas.  She provides examples of what common misunderstandings have been and what the outcome has been after committing them.  This small handbook will be helpful for reminding one of the differences between the United States and India and should also aid in preventing embarrassing moments.

Relevance of the book
    I chose to read this book this quarter because it's closing in on our departure date and I would prefer to avoid social pitfalls.

    One example of the guides usefulness is how gifts should be given and how they should be wrapped.  As part of our trip, each group has been assigned to buy gifts for our company contacts.  I now know that they should be wrapped in bright red, green or yellow paper, and that black and white wrapping should be avoided.

If the gift is money, it shouldn't be an even numbered amount, instead of 100Rs it should be 101Rs.  Also, any gifts given shouldn't be made from cowhides, pigskins, or amphibians (cowhide is taboo for Hindus and pigskins and amphibians are considered unclean by Muslims).

    When offered refreshment in India, don't refuse without good reason. It is considered an insult. You may refuse once, as this is customary, but you should accept the second or third time it is asked.  Wash your hands before and after the meal.  When eating, it is bad manners to eat with your left hand.  Only eat with your right.  It is however acceptable to pass a dish with your left as long as you don't touch the food.  When dishing food from a communal container, don't touch the food with your hands or other guests will likely avoid it.  The same holds true of drinking from a communal vessel.  Your lips may not touch it.   When passing the salt or other object, don't place it in the hands of the requester, put it down on the table.

    These are just a few examples that are covered in this book.  None of the other material I've read to date has given me as much practical knowlwedge of the customs and culture of India that I envisage using immediately upon arrival.

What were the shortcomings of the book?
    Being a book on customs, etiquette, and culture, it's difficult for me to gauge the efficacy of the book. Without being intimately familiar with India I felt that it covered all that I needed to know adequately, from the Geography, the Attitudes, the Religions, the Food, the Dress, even the Humor of the Indain people.  I'll carry the book with me as a reference when I travel to India.

Recommendations
    I have no qualms about recommending this book to a traveler planning to visit India.  It's not a huge compendium, but it doesn't pretend to be.  It's a small handbook that touches on the most important topics that you'll want to know about.  It related situations you might find yourselves in and helps you understand the Indian perspective in your actions.  A good little book.