Why Indians Can’t Resist Giving Advice—Even When It’s Not Needed

India is a land of diversity, traditions, and strong social bonds. But one trait that appears to unify Indians across areas, languages, and groups is their fondness for offering unsolicited counsel. Unsolicited advice is readily given in Indian society on topics such as job choices, marriage, health, parenting, and even what to eat. But why is it so strongly ingrained in our culture? Is it only an indication of concern, or does it have deeper psychological and societal causes?

India has historically been a collectivist culture, with family, community, and social networks playing important roles in people's lives. Unlike Western societies, which value personal autonomy and independence, Indian civilisation thrives on collaborative decision-making. In such a setting, counsel is frequently viewed as a duty rather than an intrusion. Elders, relatives, and even strangers feel entitled to remark on your life decisions because they believe they have a vested interest in your well-being.

In Indian society, seniors and their knowledge are held in high regard. Parents, grandparents, professors, and even elder coworkers frequently believe that their life experiences give them the authority—if not the obligation—to assist others. The attitude that "I have seen the world, so I know better" is firmly ingrained in Indian society, creating an environment in which unsolicited counsel is not only offered, but expected.

One of the most prevalent reasons Indians provide unwanted advise is worry. Whether it's about your profession, health, or personal life, individuals frequently pretend to be advising out of concern and compassion. This is occasionally true, but it may also be used to exercise control or reinforce society standards. For example, a woman in her late twenties may receive regular advise regarding marriage—not because others are concerned about her happiness, but because marriage at a particular age is deemed 'normal.'

In India, providing advice is a subtle method to demonstrate knowledge and authority. Many people take pleasure in their ability to "educate" others, even if they lack subject matter knowledge. This is why you may come across relatives confidently providing medical advice despite having no medical training or advising business plans without ever having ran a firm.

From the minute a child starts school, they are bombarded with recommendations on what courses to study, what jobs to pursue, and which institutions to apply to. Parents, uncles, aunts, and even neighbours think they have the right to comment on these issues. "Engineering and medicine are the best fields," "Government jobs are secure," or "You should go abroad for higher studies" are some of the popular bits of advice received by Indian students.

In India, there is a lot of pressure to get married, which leads to an unceasing flood of counsel. "Don't be too picky," "Look for a partner within your community," and "Marriage is about compromise," are just a couple of the pearls of wisdom that individuals hear. Even after marriage, the guidance continues, covering subjects such as how to maintain a happy relationship, when to have children, and how to deal with in-laws.

Indians like giving health advice, including home cures and food tips. Whether you have a minor cold or a persistent condition, you will be given recommendations ranging from Ayurvedic therapies to food restrictions. Even physical and mental health are not immune—people will gladly tell you how much exercise you should do or why "thinking too much" is the source of your stress.

New parents are particularly vulnerable to unwanted counsel. Everyone, from relatives to total strangers, has an opinion on what to give a baby and how to punish a youngster. Mothers, in particular, receive a deluge of advice that frequently contradicts what physicians and current parenting studies recommend.


Constantly getting advice, particularly when it contradicts personal values or expert opinions, can be aggravating. For young individuals attempting to achieve independence, it might feel like a lack of confidence in their decision-making ability.
Advice is often used to enforce society norms rather than to really benefit someone. The pressure to pursue traditional professional routes, marry at a particular age, or adhere to specified lifestyle choices may be oppressive.

Not every piece of advise is good. Many times, counsel is based on outmoded views, personal prejudices, or inaccurate information. Medical, financial, or career advice provided without sufficient expertise might cause more damage than good.
Sometimes the best approach to cope with unpleasant advise is to just nod and go on without taking it seriously.

If some individuals in your life are continuously bombarding you with advice, it is OK to create boundaries. Tell them that you appreciate their care, but you like to make your own decisions.

A light-hearted joke can deflect counsel without being offensive. For example, if someone insists on eating almonds every day to increase memory, you might chuckle and reply, "Maybe that's why I keep forgetting to buy them!"

If someone gives you questionable advise, ask for proof. "That sounds interesting, where did you read about it?" This typically causes people to think twice before making false claims.

At the end of the day, remember that you know what works best for you. While counsel might be helpful at times, your life and decisions are ultimately your own.


Indians' proclivity to provide unsolicited advise originates from cultural traditions, societal standards, and a profound feeling of interconnectivity. While it frequently stems from worry, it may often be overbearing, limiting, and even inaccurate. Learning how to negotiate this part of Indian culture—whether by respectfully ignoring, setting limits, or utilising humor—Individuals can keep their liberty while upholding cultural norms.