On Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 5:34 PM, Charles Haynes <[email protected]> wrote: > > I teach about understanding different national cultures at work, and
Charles, you would have probably experienced multiple cultures in India so here is another anecdote to add to your collection. As a kid I grew up at my neighbour's house. With Indian Jews (I dont know if Jews across the world have similar customs) it was customary for the kids to first touch and kiss the Torah scroll at the doorway and then enter the home and go up to ALL the elders and greet them with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. The good-bye process was similar, in reverse. Trying that (kids kissing their elders) in any other Indian household would have the elders freaking out that the child was disrespectful (*grin*) as its customary for kids to bend and touch the feet of their elders. Here too there is a difference. Except my Punjabi friends, none else followed this custom diligently and definitely not in public. -- .
