Indian Business Etiquette & Culture for International Students & Visitors – A Full-fledge Guide by Parul University!

India is home to many international visitors & travellers. From gracious hospitality to our Prime Minister – Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India has gained popularity at global levels. For an international student or visitor, India is the perfect choice to study as it gives experience, culture awareness and exposure, all of them at the same time. Parul University hosts students from more than 75 countries and have 120+ Partner Universities across 21 Countries (USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Switzerland, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam). As a newbie, you won’t struggle a lot to settle here as this campus has everything – from global communities to world-class study experience, you’re sure to take back memories and connections!

To make it easy for you, let’s take you through what Indian etiquettes are and how everyday culture looks like.

The way everyone says Hello, we say – Namaste with palms pressed together with a slight nod. Handshakes are preferred in professional contexts as well. In India, we respect our elders so we believe in greeting the most senior person first, and then to other respected seniors.

One of India’s globally revered traditions is – Hospitality. We believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava”, it means “To treat your guest as God”. Let’s learn it with an example – If you’re invited to someone’s place, they will definitely treat you with food, tea, gift or sweets. And you can even bring something from your home country, as a token of lovely gesture. Ensure you remove shoes before entering any home or a place of worship in India.

Indian food is a highlight of the experience, and its variety is enormous. A few pointers help: in many traditional settings people eat with their right hand, and using the right hand to give, receive, or eat is considered polite. Vegetarian food is widely available and often the default, so dietary preferences are easy to accommodate. Sharing food is common and a sign of warmth. When in doubt, follow your host’s lead, and do not be shy about asking; people are almost always happy to explain.

Comfortable, modest clothing is a safe and respectful choice, especially when visiting places of worship or rural areas; loose, covering attire is appreciated. Western clothing is perfectly acceptable in most settings. Public displays of affection are best kept minimal, as more reserved conduct in public is the social norm. As anywhere, asking before photographing people is polite.

Indian communication is often warm and relationship-first. People may be indirect to preserve harmony, so a soft “we will see” can carry more nuance than a flat no. Building a personal rapport before getting down to business is normal and valued. Patience, friendliness, and a willingness to listen go a long way, and a sense of humour is always welcome. For a deeper look at these dynamics, see our guide to cross-cultural business & communication/p>

In professional settings, relationships matter as much as transactions. Expect meetings to begin with warmth and small talk; this is not a delay but the foundation of trust. Hierarchy is respected, so decisions may involve senior figures. Exchange business cards courteously, ideally offered and received with the right hand or both hands. In markets and with informal vendors, polite bargaining is expected and can be enjoyable, though it is not done in fixed-price shops. For the wider picture of doing business across cultures, our guide on working in a multicultural team is a useful companion.

Parul University is headquartered in Vadodara which is famous as “Sanskari Nagari”, it means “Culture Capital”. They proudly host students from more than 75 countries around the world. The campus is housed with next-gen facilities, salon, cafe, mart, gym and many more amenities. From trending festivals to cultural clubs, students truly enjoy their tenure here.

Vadodara is precisely famous for entrepreneurial spirit, vegetarian cuisine, and classic hospitality. If you arrive during Navratri, you will discover Garba – a dance form wherein it goes on for 9 nights and Khelaiyas enjoy it thoroughly. Curiosity, trust and respect are foundations of this city and you will be welcomed almost anywhere. So if you wish to explore education in India, discover Parul University’s international programs and get to experience the true side of India!