First Meeting Guide
Walk into your first phone call or face-to-face meeting feeling confident and prepared.
First meetings set the tone
For most candidates, the first phone call or face-to-face meeting is the moment that shapes everything that follows. A little preparation goes a long way toward feeling calm instead of caught off guard.
Knowing what to ask — and expect
It's not always obvious what to talk about with someone you've just met, or how to read their answers. Having a sense of the right questions, and the range of answers you might hear, takes the guesswork out of it.
Etiquette matters as much as the conversation
How you greet the family, accept hospitality, and say goodbye is often remembered as much as what was said — small, thoughtful gestures go a long way in our community.
How It Works
A Guide Structured Like a Real Conversation
Follow the natural flow
Content is organised the way a real meeting actually unfolds — from greeting to goodbye.
Browse by category
Family, education, career, lifestyle, values and more — grouped so you can prepare topic by topic.
See sample answers
Each question comes with realistic sample answers, so you know how to interpret what you hear.
Go deeper with follow-ups
Good follow-up questions are suggested for the ones that matter most, so the conversation doesn't stall.
A Sample From the Guide
Greeting Etiquette
A preview of the kind of guidance inside — the full guide covers Hospitality and Goodbye etiquette too, plus every conversation topic from family to future plans, tailored to your gender and available for both phone calls and face-to-face meetings.
Namaste or handshake?
A warm Namaste (folded hands) is the safest opening greeting, especially with elders present. A handshake between the two candidates is fine if both are comfortable with it.
“Namaste, kem cho? Nice to finally meet you.”
Touching the feet of elders
If parents or grandparents are present, touching their feet or a respectful Namaste is customary and appreciated — but never obligatory. Take the lead from your own family or the host family's cues.
Arrive on time, or slightly early
Punctuality signals respect for the families who coordinated the meeting. If you're running late, have a family member call ahead.
Dress modestly and comfortably
Smart, modest attire that reflects who you are is enough. There's no need to over-dress or wear anything you won't be comfortable in for a few hours.
Ready to see the full guide?
The full First Meeting Guide — every category, question, sample answer and follow-up — is available to registered candidates from their dashboard.