{"id":1057,"date":"2018-03-16T19:27:57","date_gmt":"2018-03-16T13:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.steptest.in\/?p=1057"},"modified":"2025-12-19T07:03:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T07:03:28","slug":"9-common-indianisms-to-avoid-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/step.thehindu.com\/blog\/9-common-indianisms-to-avoid-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Common Indianisms to avoid at work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When our previous Indianism blog post<\/a> went viral, we began paying attention to the conversations around us. We found nine common Indianisms at work and decided to blog about it right away. How many of these do you subconsciously say or find weird when you hear them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Desi R\u00e9sum\u00e9 – \u201cI\u2019m sharing my biodata<\/em> right away\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether it is for a marriage or a job, we faithfully refer to our profile as a biodata. While curriculum vitae or CV is used by academicians and educationists, resumes are used by job seekers, and biodata is an old-world term nowadays used only to explain the pedigree of animals like horses and dogs. While it\u2019s not wrong in most cases, it cannot be used in all situations either.
Say it better \u2013 \u201cI\u2019m sharing my resume<\/strong> right away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Desi Confirmation – \u201cAre you cent percent<\/em> sure she\u2019ll complete the task?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The childhood chase for scoring the highest marks or being class topper still lives with us in our language. The need to be completely sure shows up in our language as \u2018cent percent\u2019.
Say it better \u2013 \u201cAre you absolutely sure<\/strong> she\u2019ll complete the task?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Desi Description \u2013 \u201cShe just cut the call<\/em> while I was talking.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Indians, we tend to be quite dramatic in our descriptions and the above sentence is probably a great example. Do we say it this way because cutting a call has more action, depth and weight than just a \u2018hung up abruptly\u2019?
Say it better \u2013 \u201cI was on the phone with her, when she disconnected abruptly<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Desi Rant \u2013 \u201cHe was eating my brain<\/em> on Wednesday!\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sounds scary doesn\u2019t it, but relax, this has nothing to do with horror movies, or new culinary delicacies. Only, we tend to add sensory-rich details to describe something that bothers us. Is it really required? No, most definitely, no!
Say it better \u2013 \u201cHis constant talk on Wednesday was very annoying<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Desi School Story – \u201cI finished my plus 2<\/em> in 2010.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Invited to a party? Inviting yourself plus 2 is acceptable. But, referring to your high school education as plus 2 is very awkward.
Say it better \u2013 \u201cI completed my 12th grade<\/strong>\/ standard in 2010.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Desi Request – \u201cKindly<\/em> tell me how to find the restroom.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that the many synonyms of the word \u2018kindly\u2019 are \u2018warmly\u2019, \u2018affectionately\u2019, \u2018tenderly\u2019 and \u2018lovingly\u2019? We have customised the word kindly to mean please. Incorrect customisation.
Say it better \u2013 \u201cPlease<\/strong> tell me where to find the restroom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Desi Promise – \u201cI will try my level best<\/em> to give the survey results to you by tomorrow.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s like you are in a video game and at level 7, you\u2019ll do all you can to complete something. The word level is a dead weight. Drop it and you\u2019ll make much more sense.
Say it better \u2013 \u201cI\u2019ll do my best<\/strong> to provide the survey results tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Desi Timeline – \u201cI passed out<\/em> from college last year.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can pass out if you have too much alcohol or you\u2019re low on sugar. Passing out means to faint! We might have a rigorous school system, but it doesn\u2019t warrant a fainting spell, does it?
Say it better \u2013 \u201cI graduated<\/strong> from college last year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Desi Advice – \u201cYou have to sit on her head<\/em> to get the approval!\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unless you are a sumo wrestler, it would be better not to resort to such tactics! Sitting on someone\u2019s head is our way of expressing micromanagement, the Indian way.
Say it better \u2013 \u201cYou\u2019ll have to constantly follow up<\/strong> to get the approval.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to take your English to the next level?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Join the Online English Course<\/a> by STEP from The Hindu Group and gain the skills to speak and write English accurately and effortlessly.
Start learning today \u2014 your fluency begins here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to polish avoid more of these and polish your business English ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out – STEP for working professionals<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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