If there is one country in the world which personifies diversity, that’s India. In no other country would you find such a miscellany of languages and cultures that change almost every 300 miles. So have you ever thought how does one communicate and converse in such a country? Over the years India has seen a vast series of changes that have transformed the way Indians communicate among themselves and the world. We have been taught to read, write and also speak in a very brick and mortar methodology. But how many schools and colleges in India really teach the art of communicating in varied cultures. What may seem like an acceptable word in India may not be so in Scandinavia. On the other hand India also demands a certain kind and style of communication keeping in mind the amalgamation of the classic and contemporary worlds. Let us take a look at the top 10 communication skills needed in India.
Trust - You must first choose to trust yourself and your ability to trust others. For effective communication to occur there must be a general level of trust between people. In a country like India, it is of utmost importance that you build a relation with people around you. Indians by nature are outgoing and trustworthy however they demand the same from their colleagues. Hence it is necessary that you trust yourself and gain the trust of others as well.
Understanding Diversity – Diversity in India as mentioned before forms the core of the country. The innumerable number of cultures, languages, habits and lifestyle is one that is unique to a country like ours. The challenges however lies in understand the diversity of such a nation and adapting ones communication depending on the region you are in. It is like countries within a country thus the ability to modify your communication depending on the place you are located in is a skill one must imbibe.
Think Global Act Local – India as a country has seen a sea change in terms of technology. The methods of communication have changed over centuries. From sending letter tied to pigeon legs to tweeting about something you just did, we have come a long way. However it is still important to keep in mind that change though inevitable is seldom welcome. The capability to think at a global level but implement and act in an Indian context can help smoothen the process of communication in a deep rooted patriotic country like India.
Grass ‘Routes’ – 70% of India is in its villages. This is a sentence that you have heard time and again. But you ask this is true? Of course, till date more than 70 to 75 % of India’s population is in Rural India. It is very important for a communication professional to understand the mindset of such a rural consumer. The knack of striking a conversation with a villager and communicating in a way that the intended message is interpreted in a correct way is the biggest challenge that most companies face today.
Up to Date – We may have used papyrus 300 years back but we still love our iPhones and iPads. India has advanced manifolds technologically in the last decade. It is important as a communication professional that you keep yourself abreast with the changes in communication technology and accustom accordingly.
Global Village – Marshal McLuhan sure must be a proud man to have founded this concept that is now evident in India too. The world today is aptly known as a ‘Global Village’ in which a web of information networks interconnects individuals as well as organizations in nearly instantaneous global communication. The global village is inter-connected by communication technologies that is trending towards a global culture. The Internet & World Wide Web are examples of these interconnections. At large most Indian cities today resemble western cities in all facets of their life. Communication within the context of this Global Village is a skill to be mastered.
Love thy Indian Friend –Unlike the western world, Indians truly believe in their customs and have deep rooted values when it comes to conversing with them. People generally older to you or the same age expect you to address them with an ‘aap’ (you) rather than ‘tum’ (also meaning you but a little informal). Also keep in mind that you will need to address your friend’s wife either as ‘Mrs. XYZ’ or Srimati XYZ. Indians by nature are still traditional when it comes to relations and families and it is important to respect that. However, once acquainted with you Indians are the most hospitable people on earth. Soon you will find yourself in the midst of a plethora of people wanting you to visit them.
Body Language – Like most other countries a some of the hand signs in India are considered offensive. Be careful and steer away from them. Also keep in mind that Indians are modern yet superstitious when it comes to certain things. One common phenomenon you will notice across India is that the right hand is used for most transactions. Be it giving money, passing a book or just shaking hands, you will always see someone extending their right hand. The Left hand is considered inauspicious in most parts of India when it comes to exchanging things.
Pals & Buddies - Indians are very friendly by nature and tend to open up to people very fast. Be it a fellow passenger in a local train, airplane or just a stranger you happen to meet at a party or conference you will find yourself being posed a barrage of questions. It is the nature of an Indian to talk about family and personal issues in the first few meets unlike in the west where it is considered offensive. It is thus important to keep this in mind while communicating with an Indian and not to get too defensive in the process.
Localization - Be it Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore learning a little of the local language will help you sail through a lot of troubles. Speaking in the local language with vendors, taxi driver, bus conductors etc will help you connect with them better and you will see that you are welcomed more warmly. On the other hand you will also see that many of the taxi drivers and middle men speaking an English with little grammar. So do try and adapt to that as well and not to get offended in case of an erroneous statement.
Communication in India goes beyond what I have mentioned above. India is more of an experience than a country, thus it is imperative that one understands the Indian way of life and culture in a holistic way so as to develop specific communication skills suited for this country.
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—About our writer:
Preetha a Hotel Management graduate, currently pursuing an MBA in Communication Management from Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune. She is an avid reader and a passionate writer.
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