Codes of Conduct in the West as Different from those in India
on Mark Takefman in Barmer (India), 23/Jan/2010 06:04, 34 days ago
ByMarkL.TakefmanWith thanks to Louse Creber andMichaelRosenkrantzfor their contributionsThis guide is intended for those Indians who will one day visit a western country and need to be aware of certain cultural behaviours that are different from those in their own county.  I’m not including every difference such as driving codes and attitudes, just some of the basic differences a newbie toCanadaorAmericamight need to know when they get off the plane. These include, but are not limited to:General Public Behaviour    No spitting.    No blowing your nose in public without using a tissue.    No picking your nose in public.    No scratching your groin or rear end in public.    No urinating in public, use a public washroom.    No littering.    It is not polite to stare at people, some people will even get mad and begin a fight with you.     No“J” walking, that is crossing a road in the middle of a block instead of at a corner.(this is not enforced everywhere)    Form lines and no line or“Q” jumping.    Don’t push and shove anyone.    Do not speak in a loud voice.    Respect the privacy of others, especially around ATMs (ABMs as they are also called)    It’s ok for a man to shake hands with a woman and visa versa.    Time: well let’s just say, it’s not the same in the West. It’s much faster in the West    Time: part two, being late is ill-considered unless some good reason is given. What is late, usually more than 10 to 15 minutes in most cases.    Do not interrupt conversations in progress unless it is urgent. Wait for a time to speak.    Don’t be surprised to find most things inUSAandCanadaare made inChina.    Smoking is not permitted in many public and private places.    Woman’s clothing is often much more revealing .    Men can wear shorts (short pants) in public.    An individual’s personal space (around their own body) is larger than inIndia, stand back.    People don’t smile as much as they do inIndia, but it’s ok to smile.    Bartering for goods is not the norm, it does happen, but very rarely.  Most items for sale are fixed prices.    Dogs and cats are common household pets.The Washroom    You won’t find squat toilets.    Toilet paper is used in the washrooms instead of water and hands, sometimes you can find a bidet, but not in public places.    Many public toilets and urinals have automatic flushing mechanisms so you don’t have to touch any handles.     And many public sinks also have automatic water valves on sensors.    You still wash your hands after using the washroom.    Paper towels and/or electric blow drying units are available to dry your hands.  If not use your pants like inIndia.    Showers and baths replace the bucket bath.Culinary Habits    Breakfast is often between 7am to 8am, lunch is at 12pm (noon) and dinner is often a 6pm.  These are general times, as family schedules can change these periods. Eating at 8pm often happens after one has gone out to a show or movie.    Children, men and women eat together, at the same time for meals, but not necessarily the same thing.    When eating, you generally use a fork and other types of cutlery.  Eating with the hands is allowed only for certain“finger foods” and for confectionary.    It is not taboo to use your left hand for eating.    Dessert comes at the end of a meal.    Tipping waiters is between 15% to 20% (unless a gratuity charge is indicated on the bill).    Chinese vegetarian food is very different from Indian vegetarian, you have to try some.    Most people eat meat, so the term non-veg is not used. You are either a meat eater (carnivore) or a vegetarian, vegan, fruitarian or something else.    You can drink water right from the tap, but many people also use water filters, or purchase bottled water, which is 90% the same as tap water but bottled.    When eating out, people generally sit for around 30 minutes to an hour after the meal having coffee and talking before asking for the bill, we consider this an important part of eating out.Chauvinism    An older courtesy requires men to allow women to enter a doorway first and the man will hold the door open for her, and will pull out a chair for a woman to sit on (that is if she wants to sit).    Many modern business women wear suits that look similar to men’s suits.Legal Issues    Never attempt to bribe a police officer, it could land you in jail.    Police carry guns and often also have tasers (which is an electroshock incapacitant weapon used for subduing a person by administering electric shock aimed at disrupting superficial muscle functions).    Many public places and stores (shops) have video cameras to watch your every move.Some Driving Issues    Be advised, if you rent a car, traffic tickets are a major source of income for the police, don’t speed etc., and don’t park in non-parking zones or without putting money in the parking meter.    Don’t rent a car until you talk to me first, car rental companies will get you to take out all sorts of insurances and options you don’t need.    In some cities, you need to find this out when you visit different cities, when you are driving you are allowed to turn right at a red traffic light after you stop and the way is clear. This is not allowed inMontrealandNew York City. Right not left!    Driving while Under the Influence of any intoxicant, even of prescription drugs, is illegal.    Vehicles entering a main road do not have the right of way and must stop until the way is clear.    Drive in lanes only, you will be ticketed if you drive down the lines on the road.    InCanada, vehicles have daylight running head lights, which are on all the time. But you must turn on all the regular lights at night as well.    Horn honking is rarely used unless you’re a goose.    There is a difference between Yielding and Merging.  Of course, not all North American drivers know this either.    Re Bicycles: In some cities likeToronto, children are required by law to wear a bicycle helmet. Adults wear them too.