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 tithi Devo
Bhava (Guest is God) has been a deep-rooted belief in the Indian psyche
since times immemorial. The multitude of relationships, innumerable social customs
and joint family structure ensure maturity in social
behavior.
The zest with which Indians outdo each other in extending hospitality to
their guests, has to be seen and experienced to be believed. One
villager's guest becomes the guest of the entire village. The man on the
street will go to great lengths if asked for directions - to the extent of
trying to converse with you in broken English and even accompanying you without expecting anything in
return! Invitations to weddings come easy to visitors and a formal dress
code is not expected.
Indian hospitality can be intrusive to some tourists, but rest assured that it will be
scaled down if you express your reservations. Staring at a stranger is commonplace, but is just plain curiosity. Two men walking hand in hand do not
symbolize homosexuality, and neither does a bear-hug spell intimacy - it is just a warmth in relationship. On the other hand, as a mark of
respect men do not touch women at all in public. For all occasions, however, the ultimate symbol of Indian hospitality is a humble
NAMASTEY.
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