India’s population of 1.2 billion is as varied and colorful as the spice markets of Old Delhi. Each region, caste, and community has its own culture, reflecting unique histories shaped by conquest, creativity, and religion, expressed in distinct languages, social customs, art forms, and expectations of life. Despite enormous recent political and economic change, in many ways India remains the same—a total sensory experience. The chaos and beauty of color and sound, the language shifts every ten miles, the household variations of spicy and sharp, sweet and sour, the insistent smells of everyday life lived very much in public, and the invasion of personal space will challenge the most experienced traveler. But it is in surrendering to your senses that you begin to embrace the essence of India and to understand its people. Indians live with paradox. Proud traditions and patriotism commingle with tensions and prejudices rooted in age-old rivalries. Ancient temples may be plastered with signs advertising the latest technologies. The rapid urbanization of the last century has given rise to burgeoning slums and an affluent middle class that was nonexistent a few decades ago. Steeped in tradition, exceptionally fatalistic, and intensely passionate about their culture, the Indians are an ingenious, adventurous, and creative people. Show interest in their country and most will respond with genuine warmth and friendship. But they also have indelible ties to family and community that form boundaries and determine decisions that may not always seem reasonable, or sometimes even ethical, to outsiders. Culture Smart! India will make you aware of basic values and behavioral norms, show you how to navigate cultural differences and connect with real people, and offer invaluable insights into this great, endlessly fascinating land.

印度有12亿人口，就像旧德里的香料市场一样多姿多彩。每个地区、种姓和社区都有自己的文化，反映了由征服、创造和宗教塑造的独特历史，表现为独特的语言、社会习俗、艺术形式和对生活的期望。尽管最近发生了巨大的政治和经济变化，但在许多方面，印度仍然是一样的--一种完全的感官体验。色彩和声音的混乱和美丽，每十英里的语言变化，辛辣和尖锐、甜和酸的家庭变化，日常生活中坚持不懈的气味，以及对个人空间的侵犯，都将挑战最有经验的旅行者。但是，正是在向你的感官投降的过程中，你开始接受印度的精髓，了解它的人民。印度人生活在矛盾之中。骄傲的传统和爱国主义与植根于古老竞争的紧张关系和偏见交织在一起。古老的寺庙可能被贴上了最新技术的广告牌。上个世纪快速的城市化进程催生了蓬勃发展的贫民窟和几十年前还不存在的富裕的中产阶级。印度人沉浸在传统中，特别是宿命论，对他们的文化有着强烈的热情，他们是一个聪明的、冒险的、有创造力的民族。如果你对他们的国家感兴趣，大多数人都会以真诚的热情和友谊来回应。但他们对家庭和社区也有不可磨灭的联系，这些联系形成了界限，决定了在外人看来可能并不总是合理的决定，有时甚至是道德的决定。聪明的文化! 印度》将使你了解基本的价值观和行为规范，告诉你如何驾驭文化差异并与真实的人建立联系，并对这片伟大的、具有无穷魅力的土地提供宝贵的见解。