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Any journey is incomplete unless you interact with the locals. That’s when you really catch the pulse of the destination. Cultural differences are inevitable and they come up in all sorts of little things. Although allowances are usually made for foreign visitors, it is still a good idea for those unacquainted with Indian customs to learn the basics in order to avoid causing offence or making fools of themselves. While the list can go on forever, the ground rule is that when in doubt, watch the locals and follow suit. Here are some pointers on a smooth sailing across India as you win a few hearts.

General Information
As a traveller, you will constantly come across people who want to strike up a conversation. English not being their first language, they may not be familiar with the conventional ways of doing this, and thus their opening line may seem abrupt if at the same time very formal. "Excuse me good gentleman, what is your mother country?" is a typical one. It is also the first in a series of questions that Indian men seem sometimes to have learnt from a single book in order to ask Western tourists. Some of the questions may baffle at first ("What is your qualification?" "Are you in service?"), some may be queries about the ways of the West or the purpose of your trip, but mostly they will be about your family and your job.
You may find it odd or even intrusive that complete strangers should want to know that sort of thing, but these subjects are considered polite conversation between strangers in India, and help people place one another in terms of social position. Your family, job, even income, are not considered "personal" subjects, and it is completely normal to ask people about them. Asking the same questions back will not be taken amiss – far from it. Being curious does not have the "nosey" stigma in India that it has in the West.

Appropriate Attire
Indian people are very conservative about dress. Women are expected to dress modestly, with legs and shoulders covered. Trousers are acceptable, but shorts and short skirts are offensive to many. Men should always wear a shirt in public, and avoid shorts (a sign of low caste) away from beach areas. These rules go double in temples and mosques. Cover your head with a cap or cloth when entering a dargah (Sufi shrine) or Sikh gurudwara; women in particular are also required to cover their limbs. Men are similarly expected to dress appropriately with their legs and head covered. Caps are usually available on loan, often free, for visitors, and sometimes cloth is available to cover up your arms and legs.

In general, Indians find it hard to understand why rich Western sahibs should wander round in ragged clothes or imitate the lowest ranks of Indian society, who would love to have something more decent to wear. Staying well groomed and dressing "respectably" vastly improves the impression you make on local people, and reduces sexual harassment too.
If you want to keep your cool in the Indian sun,cotton clothing is essential along with a comfortable pair of open sandals. An effective pair of sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat will protect you against the deceptively strong rays.

Do remember to pack winter clothing if your trip takes you to the mountain regions

Taking Pictures
Hindus are very superstitious about taking photographs of images of deities and inside temples; if in doubt, desist.

Funeral processions are private affairs, and should be left in peace. In Hindu funerals, the body is normally carried to the cremation site within hours of death by white-shrouded relatives. At Varanasi and other places, you may see cremations; such occasions should be treated with respect. Photographs should not be taken.

Visiting Religious Places
Religion is taken very seriously in India; it's important always to show due respect to religious buildings, shrines, images, and people at prayer. When entering a temple or mosque, remove your shoes and leave them at the door (socks are acceptable and protect your feet from burning-hot stone ground).
Cover your head with a cap or cloth when entering a dargah (Sufi shrine) or Sikh gurudwara; women in particular are also required to cover their limbs. Some temples – Jain ones in particular – do not allow you to enter wearing or carrying leather articles, and forbid entry to menstruating women. When entering a religious establishment, dress conservatively, and try not to be obtrusive.

In a mosque, you'll not normally be allowed in at prayer time and women are sometimes not let in at all. In a Hindu temple, you are not often allowed into the inner sanctum; and at a Buddhist stupa or monument, you should always walk round clockwise (ie, with the stupa on your right).

Gay Travellers
While travelling in India you might see a lot of men holding hands. This should not be taken as a sign of their sexual orientation, in all probability they are not gay. Most gays in India are of the closet kind as the Indian society does not accept homosexuality. Declaring yourself to be a homosexual is a sure way of being disowned by family and friends.

Although in big cities and amongst the higher strata of the society, it is not considered abnormal behaviour any more. You would be better off avoiding public displays of affection such as cuddling and kissing each other in public (not just for gays). Homosexual relations between men are illegal in India and the penalty according to the Indian Penal Code is seven years rigorous imprisonment. However, had this law been enforced strictly, the Indian prisons would have been overflowing by now.

Eating
When eating or drinking your lips should not touch other people's food – jutha or sullied food is strictly taboo. Don't, for example, take a bite out of a chapati and pass it on. When drinking out of a cup or bottle to be shared with others, don't let it touch your lips, but rather pour it directly into your mouth. This custom also protects you from things like hepatitis. It is customary to wash your hands before and after eating.

Tipping
Tipping is virtually unknown in India, except in swanky establishments in the major cities. Baksheesh, on the other hand, a term which encompasses tipping and a lot more besides, is widespread. You 'tip' in India not so much for good service but in order to get things done. Judicious baksheesh will open closed doors, find missing letters and perform other small miracles. In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% service charge is often added to bills. In smaller places, where tipping is optional, you need only tip a few rupees, not a percentage of your bill.

Concept of Time
The concept of time in India is not the same as in the rest of the world. Technically, IST or Indian Standard Time works for India which is 5 ½ hours ahead of GMT/UTC, 4 ½ hours behind Australian EST and 10 ½ hours ahead of American EST. Beyond that you will need to get used to the idea what tomorrow or yesterday means. It could stretch up to a few years this way or that depending on where in India you are.

Siesta Time( 1 PM to 3 PM )
Strictly observed in some states and cities when work comes to a standstill and shopkeepers down their shutters. Prominent states in this category are Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Assam and the city which takes the cake is Pune.

Common Faux Pass
Kissing and embracing are regarded in India as part of sex: do not do them in public. It is not even a good idea for couples to hold hands.

Be aware of your feet. When entering a private home, you should normally remove your shoes (follow your host's example); when sitting, avoid pointing the soles of your feet at anyone. Accidental contact with one's foot is always followed by an apology.

Indian English can be very formal and even ceremonious. Indian people may well call you "sir" or "madam", even "good lady" or "kind sir". At the same time, you should be aware that your English may seem rude to them. In particular, swearing is taken rather seriously in India, and casual use of the F-word is likely to shock.