By Ranjini Manian

6/7/2010
Some answers to why expats/Indians are the way they are.
There are many questions that come up from expats working with Indians and Indians working with people from other cultures when we interact with them in multicultural workshops. As the goal is to promote understanding, which means standing under someone and lifting him or her up, I thought of sharing some of these real-life questions and possible responses we offer during our interaction.

FAQs by Indians:

Why do expats want everything as of ‘yesterday'?

The timelines and deadlines for the Western world is shorter as they see time as a limited resource to be spent fully engaged and tightly held. It is said to come from olden times in cultures where sunlight hours are limited and lots of work needs to be done in the available daylight time. So wanting everything “as of yesterday” is a common way of working. However, if a solution-oriented response is given why something will take longer, and a realistic expectation is set of how long it will, in fact, take, then Westerners do accept the logic. What they dislike is following up and getting surprises when the delivery time arrives and the service or product doesn't.

Why don't expats work on weekends?

The personal and professional are separated and they work to live in expat worlds. They work full 40-hour weeks, but drop the pen at 6 p.m. and on weekends. Life there is also about doing it all yourself, so weekends are reserved for grocery shopping, laundry, children; and work does not creep into weekends as it does in India. They work hard and play hard in the West. In India we find it hard to swallow because as a culture we almost seem to live to work!

Why don't expats involve us in the bigger picture?

In Direct Cultures, communication gets right to the point and gives more information only if required. Indirect Cultures, on the other hand, give lots of background information and finally get to the point. When two opposing cultures like this meet, it appears as though the direct people, the Westerners, aren't including us in the bigger picture. The goal is not to exclude the Indian team but rather, not to waste time in too much detail. We should feel free to ask for the bigger picture if we would like to have it in our work life and I am sure they would comply.

Why is my expat boss so sceptical when I say I need time off to attend my grandfather's ceremony?

Tasks take precedence over relationships in many Western cultures, whereas in India, relationships are more crucial than tasks. Expatriates usually leave their parents' homes when they become majors. We, in a collective culture, stay with our families and sometimes in extended families too. So for us, a grandfather's ceremony is very important, we wouldn't miss it if we could help it. The expat finds so much importance to extended family hard to understand. Explaining the importance to him is necessary to prevent a sceptical reaction.

Questions by expats:

I asked a team member to arrange a meeting to go through the problems he had taken up. He did not do that – I had to summon them together, including his boss. Is this an issue of hierarchy?

Indians at second or third levels don't take meetings proactively. Junior managers expect senior leaders to call meetings and, once there, they expect to be told what to do. The boss is like a patriarch or a teacher providing direction, telling the team what to do and even how to do it. Always provide a meeting agenda and invite folks; if you want someone else to run it, then let them know how to prepare for and conduct it. It helps set this process in your new Indian team.

I'm afraid that at some point my patience to listen to exhaustive explanations why things cannot be done could be lost and I start to speak frankly and in a demanding tone – or would this be the right tone?

Set your expectations lower than in your own country. Here in India we work better in teams. Tasks are assigned to teams and blame or responsibility is preferred to be shared by all. When explanations about why something cannot be done come up, they do so because people are interdependent and not individually in control of outcomes. Empower them to take decisions, give them the tools required and then have mini checks before deadlines to assess progress. If, despite all this, things don't move, then by all means speak firmly; no matter which culture it is, it's okay to show who is boss and how projects simply must be finished.

Who is considered a good employee in India?

One who works hard and long and doesn't question authority too much, is reliable and available whenever needed, is honest and quick to learn and doesn't take too much leave.

However, in the West we have been told a good team member is one who thinks for himself, follows deadlines, takes responsibility and accountability, doesn't need too much handholding and gets on with his work, coming to you only if there is a real question.

What are some rude gestures in India?

Pointing with your forefinger, beckoning with a curled forefinger, winking at the opposite sex or giving or receiving with the left hand are all not good to do in India. 

The author is the CEO of Global Adjustments, a Chennai-based company that specializes in relocation and cross-cultural training services, and a columnist with Business Line, the business daily from the Hindu Group of publications.