A large number of Indian citizens are facing criticism for not obeying social distancing while living abroad, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
The discussion gained renewed attention after prominent Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka shared an image of a notice that he said he had seen at Hotel Arc-en-Ciel in the Swiss resort town of Gstaad.
The notice reportedly contained a list of instructions directed specifically at Indian guests, including guidelines regarding buffet etiquette and the removal of food from dining areas.
Some of the instructions are quite weird and to some extent, offensive. Like “Please do not take anything with you, the food is for breakfast only. If you would like a lunch bag, you can order it from the service staff and pay for it.”
“Please note that other guests also want an appetizing buffet. Only use the cutlery provided.”
What Goenka wrote:
Goenka took to his X profile and shared the image with a note that reads:
“A Swiss hotel once displayed a list of special rules exclusively for Indian guests, which I personally saw and was appalled.
Today, videos of garba in restaurants, loud conversations in airports, and turning aircraft cabins into picnic spots keep doing the rounds. Even in Davos, an Indian businessman blasted Punjabi music in a club so the whole town could hear it, calling it “soft power,” but to everyone’s annoyance.
The hotel rule singled out Indian guests, which only reflects a stereotype that no traveller wants associated with their nationality. The post struck a chord only because it is true. It is a reality that the behaviour of a few travellers shapes perceptions of millions, and that’s why one should be extremely careful of their conduct when travelling overseas, as they are representing a nation.
In another incident, a video showing a group of Indian tourists dancing on Vietnam's famous Train Street has sparked criticism as several sections of the internet accused them of seeking attention and reinforcing negative stereotypes about Indian travellers abroad.
The now-viral video was shared by Shweta Jain, founder of a Mumbai-based jewellery brand, who was visiting Vietnam with her friends.
The video showed Shweta along with her friends dancing to the Bollywood song Chaiyya Chaiyya on Train Street, a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi known for its narrow railway track lined with cafes and homes.
In another incident, four Indian tourists invited the ire of the internet after they were allegedly caught stealing hotel items from a resort in Bali.
The controversy gained traction after an X user, Tarun Gautam, shared a video criticising the group and called the episode "embarrassing." The clip appears to show hotel staff inspecting luggage during checkout as the Indian tourists waited in the vicinity.