European expat who moved to India for work shares an unexpected behavior pattern in most Indians when they introduce themselves: ‘People want to place you…’

The expat said he noticed that conversations could quickly move beyond the usual introductions. (Image: AI-representation)‘People want to place you in a social hierarchy’The expat shared his account on redditThe post sparked different reactionsWhy introductions can carry more informationMoving to a new country for work often means adjusting to a different routine, food, language and way of doing things. Some users agreed with the expat's observation and said that people in India can sometimes be quick to establish someone's social or professional standing.Others suggested that this behaviour should not be treated as universal. The way people introduce themselves can differ between workplaces, friend groups, cities and generations.The discussion also reflects one of the less obvious parts of moving abroad: cultural differences are not always found in major traditions or everyday practicalities. Sometimes, they appear in small interactions that people in the host country may consider completely ordinary.For the European expat, it was one such interaction that became an unexpected culture shock after moving to India.In many Indian conversations, a person's introduction may include details that go beyond their name and profession.

Source: Times of India September 12, 2026 06:16 UTC