how to fit in with indian family if you are american?

Answer 1

Be normal, ask if not sure or have doubt, tell them to crrect you if a protocal is wrong so they feel good and cofortable in letting you know.

People are same all over. They speak different language, and are reflection of their heritage and culture. But they are same.

You are going to be with the family so treat thm like your with respect, cutecy......

Be normal. Most important is to not imitate them, bad imitation is a big no no, good imitation is flattery.

Dress conservative, dress in skit-shirt. Avoid mini or halter and very long dress(chance of tripping and falling, avoid sari for same reason,unless you are use to), have a dress shoes and a dress for any good occasion handy. Ware well fitting, comfortable sturdy shoes so you do not have to get them fixed. try the local dresses from time to time but be care full you do not want to get injured.

Take lomotive(for stomach problem) tablet, in your wallet at all the time, buy it in USA. or Canada. Avoid water, use well know brand of bottle water. If not have host boil it for you, say doctors order, it is a problem with you and not their problem. Keep that water with you. Try to consume local yogurt, it will kill most bacteria.

You wrote "how to fit in with indian family if you are american"? This is up to you, depends on the situation, you will pick up in few days or hours.

General caution is good advise. India is very safe country, but you do have bad apples in any barrel.

Answer 2

Do not act like you're uncomfortable. You do not have to be overly polite because that would just make it seem as though you do not wish to be there. Also, Indians are no different then "Americans" because USA is an immigrant country. You do not necessarily have to research our culture, but it would be advisable for a topic of conversation. By the way, you might want to research our food. Even I do not know what my mum is cooking sometimes :) . Oh that stuff about Indians "don't like to go bare" whatever. People in India like Western culture cuz of Bollywood.

Answer 3

Be yourself, you don't have to alter your entire life to fit in. Just repect their religion, culture, values and tradition. Ask questions politely if you don't understand something, they will feel good if you show interest... In most cases traditions carry on and people don't even know why they do it, the answers might not satisfy you, but just respect what they believe in. As long as you don't joke about it, you will be ok. You don't have to believe in it, just repect it. If you have heard the phrase "go with the flow", you know what I mean. Over time as you follow the tradition and understand the language you will feel more and more comfortable, you will fit in. Trust me it takes time, so dont expect it to happen overtime, your husband will have to be patient. You will still stick out like a sore thumb when you are among them, beacuse you look different, act different, beacuse you were raised different, so don't feel bad about it. And the family should acknowleded the fact that you are not indian and accept it.

Answer 4

Personally, I think if you try to change yourself please someone...you wont be able to do it for a long time.

I live in USA and I am Indian but I have been living here for past 10 years now ..I am 23... anywayz, my boyfriend family is in India.. we are planning to settle down..but one of the thing I had to let my BF know that I will try to do my best to fit in but what if your parents feels like I am too open minded..

Like talking to boys in INDIA consider character less or wearing certain types of clothes...if you wear shorts, people or relatives in India think that you are way too modern and therefore, you do not respect elders

Secondly, from my personal experience I feel we as an American/Indian Gal make way more effort in laws than a typical Indian gal would make...for start , we change our self and we do everything for in-laws from cooking to cleaning and etc.

So its risky, ...unless you really want to change yourself..which wud be hard ...I mean, when I get mad I use F ' word..my boyfriend told me so many times not to uses...although I stopped using it but still once in a while when I am angry I uses...not bec I want to but it just comes out automatically...

Be yourself.

Dont change yourself.Original is better than copying!

Answer 5

I think they would appreciate you learning more about their culture. My husband's family is from India and I've spent a lot of time researching the culture/history/traditions on my own so that I'm informed when I participate in holidays or social functions. They also appreciate it when I wear Indian clothes to important events like weddings. Above all, be yourself! Be warm, considerate, and thoughtful.

Answer 6

Iam half Indian, born and raised in the U.S and fit in just fine with Indians, as long as you have stuff in common with the traditional Indians like eat the same foods,same morals and values, you should get along juuust fine!

Answer 7

Thank you dear asker for this question. I have doing same, being not American, but not Indian too. Soon we plan to move to New Delhi for diplomatic mission and we are little bit confused, because people say that it will be very very difficult for us to live in India after fabelous Istanbul. But we know this country quite well. People are nice and very friendly. I hope you will get everything OK. Just remember, that you are in India - most ancient and most rich living civilisation on the Earth.AND GIVE THEM RESPECT FOR THIS CIVILISATION, FOR CULTURE, PHILOSOPHY.... Good luck!!!!!!

Answer 8

It happens. You really are an American now and considering how other cultures feel about us we are viewed with deep suspicion even in the old country. Adapt to the reality and move on.

Answer 9

Just keep smiling, laughing, joking. That is all they want. They like down to earth people so smiling is a big part.

Trust me, you don't have to be an expert in indian history, culture, religion etc. Most indians aren't experts themselves.

also try and not to kiss and hug your boyfriend in front of them. they may frown upon that.

Answer 10

there si only one advice while you are india: just dress up!

rest is all managable. Remember, again : just dress up!
Indians dont like girls to go bare.