The India Survival Kit – An Introduction

The "India survival Kit" is a collection of articles written by an expat who moved to India in the 90's. He has been living there ever since.

A person’s thoughts and ideas are shaped, to a large extent, by his culture. Cultural influence is so subtle and ingrained that we are usually not aware of it until we are confronted by another culture and another way of thinking. Dealing with a society completely different from ours is not an easy task. It requires a sustained effort to understand, not to mention immense patience. But the understanding is necessary if we are to interact smoothly and positively with people from a different background. It is even more important in the case of a businessman as his financial success depends upon it.

The Indian way of life is very different from that of western society. Indian priorities are different. Indian mannerisms are different. Even the Indian perception of time is different. The key to a successful business relationship with Indians is to understand their culture. In the process, we also learn to appreciate all that is positive about it – the importance accorded to the family, the warmth and hospitality apparent in every home, the spiritual under current that pervades the society and its accepting nature.

The following series of articles are aimed at helping a visitor appreciate the vibrant, diverse country that India is. Foreigners can find numerous cultural tips and information about Indian customs and practices, language and communication, food and eating habits, traditions, landscapes, and even tips for developing a successful business relationship with Indians. Whether you are a business person or a tourist, a first time visitor to India or a veteran traveler, we hope that you find the information presented here interesting and informative.

The India survival Kit is divided into four sections:

I) Cultural tips for newcomers to India

II) Doing business in India

III) An American's diary

IV) Street English in India: Indian English and the Indian way of communication

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