2010 Booklet.pdf - Norway - the official site in India
2010 Booklet.pdf - Norway - the official site in India
2010 Booklet.pdf - Norway - the official site in India
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O<strong>the</strong>r po<strong>in</strong>ts to be observed are:<br />
• Bus<strong>in</strong>ess lunches are preferable to d<strong>in</strong>ners <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong>. However, <strong>in</strong><br />
recent times, bus<strong>in</strong>ess d<strong>in</strong>ners and 'power breakfasts' are also<br />
becom<strong>in</strong>g popular.<br />
• Bus<strong>in</strong>ess meals are organised <strong>in</strong> ei<strong>the</strong>r high-class restaurants or<br />
<strong>in</strong> five-star hotels (you will need to book your table <strong>in</strong> advance).<br />
• <strong>India</strong>n dishes are quite spicy to <strong>the</strong> western palate - you might<br />
want to ask <strong>the</strong> waiter/steward how spicy a given dish will be.<br />
• Toast<strong>in</strong>g is not a normal custom <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong>. However, <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
meals where dr<strong>in</strong>ks are served, it is normal for <strong>the</strong> host to toast<br />
by rais<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> glass and say<strong>in</strong>g 'cheers.'<br />
• In most restaurants, 5 to 10% is a sufficient tip, which may be<br />
added to <strong>the</strong> bill.<br />
• Hospitality is a key value <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong>n culture, and <strong>the</strong> guest is<br />
considered <strong>the</strong> equivalent to a god. <strong>India</strong>ns normally go out of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir way to accommodate <strong>the</strong> requirements of <strong>the</strong> guests. Any<br />
breach of etiquette by <strong>the</strong> guest is normally ignored and never<br />
brought to his or her attention.<br />
• A foreigner visit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>India</strong> is likely to receive social <strong>in</strong>vitations<br />
from even m<strong>in</strong>or acqua<strong>in</strong>tances.<br />
• A direct refusal to an <strong>in</strong>vitation is likely to be seen as impolite, or<br />
even arrogant. If you have to decl<strong>in</strong>e an <strong>in</strong>vitation, it is more<br />
acceptable to give a somewhat vague and open-ended answer.<br />
• If you are <strong>in</strong>vited for d<strong>in</strong>ner at a home, it is advisable to arrive 15<br />
to 30 m<strong>in</strong>utes late.<br />
• In many <strong>India</strong>n homes, one is expected to remove his or her<br />
shoes before enter<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
• Say<strong>in</strong>g 'thank you' at <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> meal is considered as an<br />
<strong>in</strong>appropriate and impersonal gesture (offer to reciprocate by<br />
<strong>in</strong>vit<strong>in</strong>g your hosts out to d<strong>in</strong>ner).<br />
• If you are host<strong>in</strong>g a social event, it is desirable to contact every<br />
person by phone personally, even if you have already sent a<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>ted <strong>in</strong>vitation. <strong>India</strong>ns do not normally 'R.S.V.P.'<br />
• Your guests will be late, s<strong>in</strong>ce arriv<strong>in</strong>g punctually for a social<br />
<strong>in</strong>vitation is considered bad manners. Also, some of your guests<br />
may not turn up at all, even after promis<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong>y will.<br />
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