4.9 Cultural Notes and Extra/Optional Online Materials

Rajiv Ranjan

4.9 Cultural Notes and Extra/Optional Online Materials

Cultural Notes

Topics

Explanation

1

Indian City/Town

Typically, Indian and South Asian cities and towns are very crowed and houses do not have front and back lawns. Indian villages have comparatively more open space. Indian is the 2nd largest populated country of the world with very dense population.

2

Transportation

Public transportation is easily available in India and South Asian cities. Though, all the buses, trains and airports are very crowed and can be intimidating for someone new.

3

Private space

Given that Indian family up to three generation live in one house, there is not much private/personal space.

4

Bathroom/Toilet

In a typical Indian houses, bathroom and toilet are not in the same room like America. They are built separately. However, in bigger cities, and in apartment complexes, you will find bathroom and toilet in one space. Please also note that Indian toilet is squatting toilet.

5

Worship room

Typically, in bigger Hindu houses in India, there would be a separate room called पूजा घर “worship room.”

6

Shoes NOT in the house

Typically, Indians do not allow shoes in the house. Everyone takes off shoes out-side the house in corridor or near the entry door.

7

Kitchen

Indian houses/apartment do not have open kitchen attached with the living room like in American houses/apartments. Indian kitchens are not visible for the guests. As a guest you should ask permission to enter in your host kitchen.

8

Market

In India and South Asia, a smaller markets are everywhere. You can find smaller grocery stores in your own alley. Every neighborhood has all small stores for regularly used things such as: medical stores, grocery, mobile phone stores, vegetable and fruit stores, etc.

However, in village area, it not the case so much and typically there is a weekly village market. Villagers also visit near/local town/cities for shopping.