I will be visiting India soon and have been invited to dinner with friends who live in West Bengal. What is appropriate to bring as a gift, if anything? What do I need to know about West Bengali etiquette?

West Bengal is actually pretty vast and customs really depends on whether your friend lives in the interiors or in main Kolkata (capital city of the state) or else in North-Bengal where you have predominantly Tibetan/Nepalese cultures rather than a Bengali culture prevalent in the South.

Irrespective there are no major issues as long as you are courteous to elders. Being a foreigner you would not be expected to know all the rituals/mannerisms.

A hostess gift always makes sense IMO. If they drink a bottle of liquor is always welcome. Johnnie Walker Black Label is the whisky many Indians prefer. If you do not know if they drink his and hers perfumes. I hope you enjoy eating meat and seafood which is gen common in Bengali cuisine - advise them in advance of any food allergies or the like to prevent last minute embarrassment.

Hi!

I would recommend a souvenir from your own country or box of chocolates perhaps.

Most middle and upper class households drink alcohol, but those who don't might get taken aback if you bring alcohol as a gift. Especially if you are giving it to someone older than you (it's not considered respectful by some).

They won't hold a grudge againt you cause you're a foreigner, but I'd think twice before picking up a good bottle of wine for a traditonal bengali mom!

oh! and another thing.

Ask your hostess if she would like you to take your shoes off before you enter her home. (Or just follow what the others are doing)

A lot of Indians have altars at home and therefore take their shoes off near the door.