Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Indian culture - the dos and do nots

Monday 14 October - day three already...

Today was the Lilly Group's official orientation day - group picture, a get to know each other session, Health and Safety, house rules, the history of Cross Cultural Solutions in India and most importantly a review of Indian culture - see below review. This afternoon we visited the clothing store again for those who hadn't been over the weekend (all over it second time round) followed by a "drop-off exercise/treasure hunt"...the aim to provide an opportunity to feel at ease in Indian surroundings.  Our group (Kimber, Anisha and myself) had to find out about the upcoming festival - "The Festival of Lights" - from an Indian male, female and child. WE then had to purchase the items required for this festivals (candles etc).  

Yet another delicious dinner followed by some seriously good laughs with the group and then some much needed sleep.  Tomorrow most of us start out placements however those of us teaching at Vidya won't officially start until Thursday due to public holidays today and tomorrow.  


First do not... Do not hold hands in public unless you are of the same sex 

First do...Do remember an Indian wrote the Kama Sutra 

Second do not...Do not underestimate the power of the family clan 

Second do...Do remember to marry someone from at least 7 cities away

Third do not...Do not refuse local hospitality, request black tea if in doubt 

Third do...Do celebrate every Festival, after all we are Australians and we love a party

Fourth do not...Do not do anything you aren't prepared for the "world" to know 


Fourth do...Do understand there is no such thing as privacy in India


Fifth do not...Do not be on time, ever!!

Fifth do...Do be late, it's expected

Sixth do not...Do not put your religion above any other religion as all religions are equal

Sixth do...Do embrace the diversity and contradiction that is India

Namaste x 




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