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Many Indians (esp entrepreneurs) don't realise it, Ratan Tata's conduct is the default expectation how the successful and hyped people in India are to behave (n

Many Indians (esp entrepreneurs) don't realise it, Ratan Tata's conduct is the default expectation how the successful and hyped people in India are to behave (not taking a moral stand, rather a factual one) in the society. He was known to be humble and kind and never made headlines for the wrong reasons. Many would do extensive PR, while he stayed away from the limelight. It's remarkably difficult in a country where the heroes are few and get a huge coverage if they want it. Whenever a big brand wants to enter India and (due to FDI rules) has to partner with an Indian brand, invariably they go with Tata (Starbucks, Foxconn). The image of being upstanding, clean, and good at execution is hard earned.

stonethrowaway 2y ago
In other words, avoid pathological behaviour.
pphysch 2y ago
What does "default expectation" mean here? Didn't the Ambanis just have the most opulent wedding of the 21st century?
- Gentil 2y ago
  The default expectation here means "doing the right thing while no one is looking". Ambanis is far far away from it. I am sorry. Ambanis are not everyone's favourite. Definitely not even comparable to the Tatas. I can see why the hustle culture folks and fast money folks like ambanis. But that is not Shri Ratan Tata or Tatas at all. I will quote Shri Ratan Tata himself: "They are business men(Referring to Ambanis). We are industrialists." That quote properly differentiates the differences between them IMO. Not just the perception about them. But also how they think.
- ankit219 2y ago
  In Indian society terms, I meant there is a behavior a society will approve of and expect from successful people. If they do not follow this norm (so to speak), they will be criticized for whatever they are doing. Ambani's wedding was a huge talking point in India, and most people did not like the display of spending power. It's not legally wrong obviously, but it's not an accepted social behavior. We expect the uber successful people to do the right thing by other people all the time, work towards uplifting the society, and be cognizant of other peoples' lives and challenges, not show off when you know other people are suffering, and be empathetic. A tall order, but this is pretty much how Ratan Tata would be described. He is not alone, there is Choksi family (Asian Paints) who are also similarly humble and upstanding, and quite a few others who built business from British times to the socialist times and then the liberal era.
- dyauspitr 2y ago
  Opulence in societally sanctioned rituals is not considered “bad” in India. In fact it would be “bad” if they didn’t throw an opulent wedding commensurate with their wealth.

stonethrowaway 2y ago

In other words, avoid pathological behaviour.

pphysch 2y ago

What does "default expectation" mean here? Didn't the Ambanis just have the most opulent wedding of the 21st century?

Gentil 2y ago
The default expectation here means "doing the right thing while no one is looking". Ambanis is far far away from it. I am sorry. Ambanis are not everyone's favourite. Definitely not even comparable to the Tatas. I can see why the hustle culture folks and fast money folks like ambanis. But that is not Shri Ratan Tata or Tatas at all. I will quote Shri Ratan Tata himself: "They are business men(Referring to Ambanis). We are industrialists." That quote properly differentiates the differences between them IMO. Not just the perception about them. But also how they think.
ankit219 2y ago
In Indian society terms, I meant there is a behavior a society will approve of and expect from successful people. If they do not follow this norm (so to speak), they will be criticized for whatever they are doing. Ambani's wedding was a huge talking point in India, and most people did not like the display of spending power. It's not legally wrong obviously, but it's not an accepted social behavior. We expect the uber successful people to do the right thing by other people all the time, work towards uplifting the society, and be cognizant of other peoples' lives and challenges, not show off when you know other people are suffering, and be empathetic. A tall order, but this is pretty much how Ratan Tata would be described. He is not alone, there is Choksi family (Asian Paints) who are also similarly humble and upstanding, and quite a few others who built business from British times to the socialist times and then the liberal era.
dyauspitr 2y ago
Opulence in societally sanctioned rituals is not considered “bad” in India. In fact it would be “bad” if they didn’t throw an opulent wedding commensurate with their wealth.