What are the general dos and donts for greeting in India?
The general greeting is Namaste (nah-mahs-tay) or Namskar. You can do this for Good morning, Good afternoon, or Good evening. While saying Namaste or Namaskar hold your palms together at chin level and nod (never bow) your head. Ji is used following a name as a sign of respect, e.g., Gandhi-ji. Note that a Hindu may greet a man by adding sahib (sir or master) to the name (Mr. Jones-sahib) and woman by adding ji(Miss Jones-ji) as a sign of respect. Dont use first names unless you know someone very well. Use Mr., Mrs., or Miss”. Use titles such as Professor and Doctor, and use Sir or Madam with a superior/elders. Dont hug a person of the opposite sex in greeting. Only people of the same sex hug one another. Cross-gender touching (shaking hands, hugging, or kissing) is rare, except among very Westernized Indians.
