As an Indian-American woman here's my 2 cents. I've seen new immigrants get along and those who don't.

If you're coming with a curious, open mind and respectful and accepting of all cultures, you will be fine. Those who don't do well are those who only socialize with other Indians, gossip about everything, only interested in cricket and bollywood. But not interested in anything or anyone else. And won't put any effort to adapt.

Here's what I'd say:

1. Wear deodorant even if you shower/bathe daily. Indians get laughed at for B.O.

2. Do not stare. When I go back to india, this is something I cannot stand. It's very rude here.

3. When a person says no to alcohol, accept it right away. Never try to offer more, ask, comment on how much they drink. Same applies to food choices. This is true especially if it's a woman. In some regions of India, ignoring the first no and insisting is supposed to be showing extra hospitality. But here it is rude and annoying. To women declining alcohol, a man convincing her to drink more can be considered creepy.

4. Open doors for ladies. Let ladies go first. Some think it's old-fashioned or sexist but I think it's still showing manners and disagree.

5. Don't complain about prices. Don't bargain. It's not common practice in the US.

6. Tip restaurant servers and bartenders at least 15% They make most of their money with tips.

7. Do not call people you don't know very well "dear." It's offensive. It comes across as patronizing especially towards women. Back home, it may be being friendly but that's not what you do here.

8. This only applies to sheltered, young guys who are inexperienced and not very smart. Dating is not what is portrayed in media. And indian movies depict Western women as "easy." And some guys expect this. America is diverse and everyone has different ideas of dating, sex, relationships. Because some Indian cultures are extremely strict, conservative some guys behave like sex-starved, desperate perverts who've never seen a woman before. Those idiots ruin it for everyone else. Sucks but that's the reality.

9. On the flip side, it seems that in some areas of the subcontinent, men have a different idea of what it means to search for or approach women. That certain style comes across as weird, desperate, pushy. That's why the creepy perception is there. When I was younger and looking for a husband, I was shocked by the approach of guys back home. Constantly messaging me and expecting me to be on the phone all the time, saying grandiose things like "would you want to be my sole mate?" After 2 short texts. No genuine conversation or getting to know me.

Or the time I told an Indian coworker that I'm not interested in a date when he asked me. He kept asking me and wont stop asking why. He started acting stalkerish and hanging out near my office, and sending me "romantic" emails.

Harassment does not impress women. No is a complete sentence. Btw that coworker stopped after HR warned him.

My advice when you're in a new country is be observant and get a sense of how things work. Don't operate on preconceived notions.

Different regions of US have different attitudes.

True in casual settings and who it is. It's best to avoid it unless you get a sense of culture. It's regional. I'm from New England i rarely hear it, even from old people. But we can all agree that it's best to avoid it in a professional setting.