Talking to strangers in India, the Philippines and the USA
A call can cross a border in a second. What follows is slower: a different clock, a different first language, different manners. Below are eight plain terms for talking with people in India, the Philippines and the USA.
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Eight terms to know before a call across borders
- Time zone
- India keeps one clock, UTC+5:30, all year. The Philippines keeps UTC+8. The USA is spread over several, so a call with Boston and a call with Seattle happen at different hours. Manila runs two and a half hours ahead of Delhi. The eastern USA is ten hours or so behind Delhi. Before you say "talk tomorrow", remember that tomorrow begins at different moments.
- Home language
- In India, Hindi and English work across the country, next to many regional languages. In the Philippines, Filipino and English are recognised as official languages. In the USA most people speak English, and Spanish comes next. Someone's first language is often not the one they use on camera, so listen for a moment before you assume.
- Language menu
- The chat has a menu of languages that belongs to it alone. Set it to the language you actually want to speak, not the one you think you should. An easy talk in your own words beats a stiff one in borrowed words.
- Accent
- English sounds different in Delhi, Cebu and Texas, and none of the three is the wrong one. Speak a little slower than usual. Skip slang for the first minute. If a word is missed, say it again without a sigh.
- Politeness marker
- Filipino speakers add po or opo to show respect. In India, ji after a name does the same job, as in Rahul ji. You need not copy either. Noticing them is enough, and a plain thank you fits everywhere.
- Greeting
- One word in the other person's language shows effort. Namaste works in India, kumusta in the Philippines, a relaxed hey in the USA. Get the sound roughly right, say it once, and move on.
- Common ground
- Cricket is a shared language in India, and so are films. Basketball and karaoke go a long way in the Philippines. A snow day in the northern USA is a fine story for someone who has never seen snow. Pick one thing you know and ask for their side of it.
- Location
- Where you are is yours to share. A country or a city is plenty. A street, a school or a workplace is never needed, from you or from them.
See how a call across borders feels
Our chat opens with your camera and a stranger on the other side. Set your language first, then say hello.
Video talks that begin with a good first line
One evening, four clocks
| Place | Local time when Delhi shows 9 pm |
|---|---|
| Delhi, India | 9:00 pm |
| Manila, the Philippines | 11:30 pm |
| New York, USA | Late morning, 10:30 or 11:30 depending on the season |
| Los Angeles, USA | Early morning, 7:30 or 8:30 depending on the season |
What the clocks mean for your evening
Your evening is somebody else's breakfast. That is the odd charm of video talk across countries: the person on screen may be pouring coffee while you pour cocoa.
Late hours change the mood. A tired voice at midnight in Manila and a fresh one at noon in Chicago need different openings. Match the energy you see, not the energy you brought.
New here? Our home page lays out the basics. For ideas on what to say after hello, read about making friends on camera, or join the conversation when you feel ready.
Opening lines, before and after
After
Before
"Hi, it is snowing here and school is off, so I am home with tea."
"Hi." Then a long silence.
"Kumusta. I am learning a few Filipino words, correct me if I get them wrong."
"Hello, from India, yes." Answered with a single word.
"Namaste. I just watched a cricket match for the first time and understood none of it."
"Bored." Nobody knows what to do with that.
Small things people ask about talking across countries
Which language should I use with someone in India?
English is a safe first step, as so many people there speak it. If the other person switches to Hindi or another language, follow them for a sentence or two and see how it goes. You can change your language menu at any time.
Does the time of day matter?
It changes the mood more than the outcome. Your own evening may be another country's morning, so expect different energy and adjust your tone.
What if I cannot follow an accent?
Say so kindly and ask for the sentence again, slower. Then repeat back what you understood. Most people are glad to be checked.
Pick a language, pick a hello
You know the clocks, the greetings and one good opening line. The rest happens live, on camera, with a stranger.