Social Norms

1. Never go to a single woman going down the street or sitting alone in a public place, and much less dare to kiss or hand her. Avoid any physical contact with them. The Indians, of any ethnic group, are not in favor of public displays of affection with the opposite sex. Disapprove of public displays of affection such as hugging or kissing.

Other Indian religious groups such as Sikhs and Christians also tend to avoid physical contact between people of both sexes; all this is considered offensive.

2. In India, society is divided by the caste system, is not allowed to marry two people of different castes. It was the Portuguese who used the word 'caste' to refer to this particular system of social organization that was found in India. The Sanskrit word for this system was 'Varna' which means "color". There were four castes: Brahmins, warriors, merchants and workers.

But there was a section of society that was marginalized and was not even part of the cast system. Were those who did the dirty or unclean work. Even considered physically unclean and was not allowed to mingle with other castes. They were the outcasts, the untouchables. Those who worked in the crematoria, who collected the garbage... Even barbers were in this category. It was this social group to which Gandhi called 'Harijans' or the children of God.

3. Marriage is one of the most important social norms of the Hindu society. Whoever rejects it will refuse the opportunity to be part of society too. For both men and women marriage symbolizes the beginning of their adult lives.