| Stereotype | Reality | |------------|---------| | All Indians are vegetarian. | Only ~30% are vegetarian. Meat consumption is common, except beef in Hindu-majority areas and pork in Muslim areas. | | India is extremely poor. | India has the 5th largest economy. Extreme poverty exists alongside a massive middle class and billionaire class. | | All Indians speak Hindi. | Only ~40% speak Hindi as a first language. English is the lingua franca for business and higher education. | | Arranged marriage is forced marriage. | Most arranged marriages are consensual, family-facilitated introductions with courtship periods. Love marriages are increasing. |