Quick Protocol
1. Shoes Off: Usually at the door. Watch what the host does.
2. Gifts: A box of sweets (mithai) or chocolates is perfect. Avoid alcohol
unless you are sure the host drinks.
3. The "Refusal" Dance: If offered water/tea, it's polite to refuse once, then
accept. But nowadays, just saying "Yes please" is fine!
"Atithi Devo Bhava"
This Sanskrit phrase means "The Guest is God." Indians take hospitality very seriously. You will be fed. A lot. Refusing food can be seen as rude, so try a little bit of everything.
Arrival Time
If invited for dinner at 8:00 PM, arriving at 8:15 or 8:20 is perfectly acceptable "Indian Standard Time". Arriving exactly on the dot might catch the host still preparing!