Indians are sick of money
Money. The one agenda in Indian life that can’t be questioned. Indian thirst for money is endless. We want to make money and more money. Even a 1000 pages book will not enough to write about it. But in this small article, I am going to tell the Indian attitude “lending money to an Indian and paying back. This write up is more relevant when the foreigner is dealing with an Indian and Indian is dealing with unfamiliar country men.
In India, never lend money to others. If you want to lend money, give small amount that you don’t mind and in case you don’t mind writing off. Lending money is very easy. Collecting the same money is very difficult. You need a ‘very special talent’ to collect the money back. Actually, don’t blame the Indians for this. It is something already written in the Indian’s brain or you have to check with Indian’s DNA.
On the day India got freedom from British rule on 15th Aug. 1947. Indians were very happy. There was celebration through out the country. Even the ordinary people entered the star luxury hotels once exclusively reserved for the British people. They ate, drink and enjoyed well. When the bearer asked for the money. The Indians replied,”Why you are asking for money, we got freedom. Freedom means it is all free. We need not pay”. The Indians got into the public transport bus and trams. The conductor asked to buy the ticket. The Indians replied,”Why you are asking for money, we got freedom. Freedom means it all free. We need not pay”. It happened.
If any Indian’s or Indian firm asked you to pay the advance or the part payment. Never make it. Pay the money if the job or deal is fully done. For example, you are visiting India, you want to make reservation at the hotel or resorts. You are booking through Internet. The hotel/resort will ask you to make part payment for the confirmation. You also made the payment. Later on you cancel the booking for some reason. If you think you get your money back, sorry, you will not get the refund.
In India, you want to take a telephone connection either from Department of Telecommunications (DOT) or from private cellular operator. You have to pay deposit. You used the service. You paid all the bills. After some time you terminate the connection. If you think, you will get your deposit back. You are wrong. You will not get you deposit back. If you personnely approached them to get back your deposit. Both the Government DOT and private companies will give some reason not to pay, or even they invent a reason “why they don’t pay”.
You approached an Indian company to do business. Simply you want to take a franchisee. First look into the Terms and Conditions. Invariable, the T & C is in all favour of Indian company and put the franchisee at mercy. Still you are optimistic and believe you can turn around the table, paid the deposit and taken the franchisee. You believe Indian business man has integrity and ethics. You tried all management techniques, but still the partnership relationship does not work. You want to end it. You have to get back your deposit, commission dues ( if any), performance Bonus ( if any). You will not get it. I give it writing.


You take any body – a middleman or a broker or a small firm- for doing a simple job for you. You paid the money, the job is not done. You not happy with the service. If you think, they will repay the money. No. For Indian Business means making money, not building an organization. There is proverb in India, Even the dead body will open its mouth, if it smells the money.
All of then will tell you that they will repay you, But when they will pay you. That is the question to be answered. When time comes to pay back, Indian’s hands will shrink.
If you don’t pay money things will not move in India. Make sure pay it to the right person or right service provider. It is better cultivate a trust relationship and then start business transaction or take a well know reference- existing reference – and start business transaction.
Indians knows very well, in India, if they violet the rules, foreigners left with very few options. Police and Judiciary will get justice only years after. The time, energy and the money you spent to get justice in India, is not economically worth.
Like Americans, if you straight away start the business and involve the money. You will loose a lot of money and betrayed and disappointed.
The CEO of Domanio, the French MNC , comment on their Brittiania Joint venture with Indian company owned by Mr.Nusil Wadia is a perfect word. Britania joint venture is a day light robbery of Wadias on Domanio in all this years. None of the Joint venture is India has seen the years long day light.