What is forbidden in Indian culture?

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. If you must extend your legs, point them away from sacred icons. Never turn your backside to a religious statue.

What should we not do in Indian culture?

What is not allowed in India?

Eating beef has always been a taboo in the country, as cows are considered sacred by the Hindus. Also, the slaughter of cows is illegal in many parts of India, and has resulted in violent protests as well.

What not to say to someone from India?

What is the biggest taboo in India?

14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny

Is it rude to say thank you in India?

In India, people—especially when they are your elders, relatives, or close friends—tend to feel that by thanking them, you are violating your intimacy with them and creating formality and distance that shouldn't exist. They may think that you are closing off the possibility of relying on each other in the future.

How do you show respect in Indian culture?

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.

Why is the left hand considered unclean in India?

Head, Hands, and Feet

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. Always eat and interact with people with your right (“clean”) hand.

What is a good gift to give someone from India?

What is a respectful Indian greeting?

Namaste (/ˈnʌməsteɪ/, Devanagari: नमस्ते), sometimes called namaskar and namaskaram, is a customary Hindu non-contact manner of respectfully greeting and honouring a person or group, used at any time of day. It is found on the Indian subcontinent, and among the Nepalese and Indian diaspora.

Can you kiss openly in India?

Section 294 of the IPC, often invoked by the police to deal with cases of public display of affection, says that any obscene act, in any public place “done to the annoyance of others” is an offence.

Is kissing prohibited in India?

The Indian Penal Code makes obscenity a punishable offence. Section 294 imposes up to three months of prison and fine on those who commit 'any' obscene act in any public place, to the “annoyance of others”. The law is clearly overbroad and open to interpretation.

Can I hug in public in India?

However, the Supreme Court of India on various occasions have said that kissing or hugging between adults in public is legal. In the past, attacks by vigilante groups also were a danger for those celebrating Valentine's Day.

Do Indians wipe with their hands?

Unlike Westerners, Indians use their hands and water to clean their bottoms. First, they touch the excreta with their fingers and then they clean those fingers subsequently. At one level, this highlights the particular emphasis that the Indian psyche gives to the removal of impure substances from the body.

Can you hold hands in India?

Kissing and embracing are regarded in India as part of sex: do not do them in public. In more conservative areas (ie outside Westernized parts of big cities or tourist enclaves), it is still rare for couples to hold hands, though Indian men can sometimes be seen holding hands as a sign of “brotherliness”.

What is disrespectful in Hindu culture?

To touch someone on the top of their head is considered rude and insensitive. This is especially the case with babies, children, elderly, religious leaders or statues of deities. To show the utmost respect towards a religious leader, statue of a deity or an elder, one will touch the feet of the person or the statue.

Do Indians celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is the favorite time of the year for many across the world and India is no exception to it. While the country has a Christian minority, every individual soaks up the magical atmosphere of Christmas becoming a part of a joyful Christmas festival of Indian traditions.

What do Indians like to receive as gifts?

Items that people in the West may take for granted may not be available in India, so gifts such as electronic gadgets, computer disks, bandages, soup mix, and knives would be appreciated. Chocolate, disposable razors, perfumes, toiletries, and household items such as plastic containers can also be welcome gifts.

What to gift your American friends from India?

Why do Indians wobble their heads?

The Indian head wobble to say 'yes' or 'thank you'

The gesture could also mean the person is saying 'yes' to whatever you just said or asked. The same head nod is used to show that the person is being attentive to what you're saying.

What Does touching the feet mean in India?

In an Indian tradition touching the feet is very common gesture that we used to give to our elders. It is a sign of respect and adopted since Vedic period and also known as Charan Sparsh.

Why do Indians bob their heads?

It can serve as an alternative to thank you, as a polite introduction, or it can represent acknowledgement. Head bobbles can also be used in an intentionally vague manner. An unenthusiastic head bobble can be a polite way of declining something without saying no directly. The gesture is common throughout India.

How do Indians say hello?

The most common, universal greeting to use in India and Nepal is namaste (sounds like "nuhm-uh-stay").

Why do Indians walk so much?

This is mainly due to the fact that walking ensures proper supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart which in turn causes better blood circulation.

What does namaste mean in India?

If you take a yoga class in the U.S., the teacher will most likely say namaste at the end of the practice. It's a Sanskrit phrase that means "I bow to you." You place hands together at the heart, close your eyes and bow.