The biggest minefield of potential faux pas has to do with eating. This is usually done with the fingers, and requires practice to get absolutely right. Rule one is: eat with your right hand only. In India, as right across Asia, the left hand is for wiping your bottom, cleaning your feet and other unsavoury functions (you also put on and take off your shoes with your left hand), while the right hand is for eating, shaking hands and so on.

4. Don't Eat Food or Pass Objects With Your Left Hand

The left hand is considered to be unclean in India, as it's used to perform matters associated with going to the bathroom. Therefore, you should avoid your left hand coming into contact with food or any objects that you pass to people.

Everyone normally uses their right hand to serve themselves, scooping with the fingers or with a serving spoon.

Avoid using your left hand if you are encouraged to eat with your hands. The left hand is considered ‘unclean' since it is the hand people generally use for washing themselves.

Traditionally speaking, most Indians don't eat with their left hands. You see, in many parts of India, people still eat traditional dishes with their hands instead of cutlery (via Travel + Leisure). The basic rule is this: the right hand is meant to be used when you're eating, while your left hand should be reserved for other activities. Breaking this rule will definitely attract the wrong kind of attention from those around you.

It is also crucial to only use your right hand to touch food or drink, pass dishes, and greet others. To preserve cleanliness, the left hand is historically reserved for activities like going to the bathroom. More specifically, you should eat using only the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and should only lick your fingers once you are done eating. Strict adherence to this custom varies, but in general, avoiding using the left hand while eating is very important.