British MNers with North Indian families

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Any advice welcome! My ds in his 20s is going to north India for the first time with his girlfriend and her family to visit their extended family. I’m unsure if he should take gifts off his own bat and if so what sort of thing? I’m dusting off memories of travelling with decorative pieces of Wedgwood china… or should he be going to the duty free shops? Or is there really no expectation?

i've been dating a North Indian for 10 years and am now engaged! Giftgiving was told to me to be essential. I always bring the extended inlaws marks and Spencers short bread in a fancy tin. It goes down a treat. Other foods such as nuts or sweets make common gifts too. As are perfumes.

I was also expected to touch the feet of the elders, I refused. He maybe too, so you should probably warn him. Happy to answer any other questions you have

He should ask his GF

Shortbread is a good gift as it’s egg free

As he is young it’s the token/thought that counts

For a more mature person (ie married with kids, or if not by late 30s/40s, basically an adult with own household & beyond the first few years of work) then giving gifts especially to the younger generation is customary

In North Indian culture gift giving flows down the generations- so your son isn’t really the age to give gifts to anyone older than him

Its likely that older relatives of his GF will pay for meals/give her & possibly him small amounts of money etc as a gift

Good etiquette would be to protest, say it’s not necessary etc, but if they insist then accept

It would be polite for him to bring small gifts (eg small toys/sweets etc) for the children of any families he is staying with and/or to treat the kids to an ice cream/cake etc if they go out

This is so helpful, thank you. He is definitely going to ask his GF.