ADVERTISEMENTs
NRI criticizes "Indian behavior" abroad, sparks debate online
An X user, Gokul, criticized an Indian family travelling in a Finland train for being "very loud" and speaking in Hindi during a video call, all while keeping their cabin doors open.
-
Pranavi Sharma - Wed, 25, Dec 2024
- 01:39 EST
- 1121
Stock image. / Pexels
A recent X post by NRI Gokul (@gokulns) has ignited a heated discussion about the conduct of Indian tourists abroad.
Detailing an incident on a train journey from Lapland to Helsinki in Finland, Gokul criticized a family for being "very loud" and speaking in Hindi during a video call, all while keeping their cabin doors open. "The carriage was ultra quiet until this one family decided to disregard basic courtesy," he wrote, lamenting, "We really don’t get civic sense, do we?"
The post, dripping with exasperation, quickly went viral, drawing reactions from all corners. Some applauded Gokul for addressing a recurring issue, while others found his approach condescending.
I'm on a train from Lapland to Helsinki and there's one family in the otherwise ULTRA QUIET carriage that's being very loud, talking to someone over a video call. In Hindi. With their cabin doors open.
— Gokul ️ (@gokulns) December 23, 2024
We REALLY don't get civic sense, do we?
Mixed reactions
One commenter agreed with Gokul but added a nuance: “Spot on... some Indians are great and settle into the environment while few others don’t care. I think all cultures are like this, and having Indian heritage, we judge Indian culture more than others??”
Others, however, questioned Gokul’s approach, suggesting he could have handled the situation differently. “I guess they are tourists and very excited, so calling back home and sharing their experience,” one user reasoned. “Best thing to do is to politely tell them about it as they might not be aware at all.”
Another critique of Gokul’s post came in hot: “And you chose to post on X rather than educating them to be quiet. Might be their first time on foreign land and out of excitement... as a concerned Indian, you must have told them the etiquettes politely. Posting on X will not improve the situation.”
Cultural friction or overreaction?
One particularly biting comment added, “To get civic sense, our society needs to be civilized first. You open a door for any desi, especially a young lad, and I am 99% sure this joker will walk through without saying ‘thanks,’ treating you like his dad hired you as a doorman.”
Others shared personal anecdotes of disruptive behavior closer to home, highlighting that the issue might not be limited to international settings. “My family was disturbed the entire route from Pune to Coimbatore last December by a teacher’s family. The lady pulled our curtains, sat on our seats, talked loudly, her children climbed and jumped on seats, and her husband snored. It was hell in first class.”
A larger conversation
Gokul’s post has reopened debates about cultural conditioning, tourist etiquette, and whether public shaming is an effective tool for social change. While some users defended the family's excitement as understandable for first-time travelers, others argued that basic manners should transcend geography.
Whether Gokul intended to spark a cultural reckoning or simply vent his frustration, his post has ensured one thing: the internet is once again a battleground for the clash of civility and self-righteousness.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login