Indians, and Delhiites in particular, take hospitality very seriously — and nine times out of ten they express it with food.
If you’re invited to someone’s home, you will be fed until you physically cannot eat any more, and then offered more.
Refusing food can be mildly offensive, the way refusing a handshake would be in the West. Take a small portion even if you’re full.
If someone invites you out for dinner, you can insult them by simply offering to pay. As insulting could be the offer to ‘go Dutch’ (“Whaddya mean? You can’t afford both our meals? Lemme pay instead!”)
Should you eat out, you’ll often see two grown men sitting at a table, jostling and trying to snatch the bill so that they can clear it before the other one does.
Bring a small gift if you’re visiting — sweets, fruit, or chocolate. Don’t bring alcohol unless you’re certain the household drinks.