A foreign woman’s insightful commentary on India and its cultural nuances has recently taken the internet by storm, garnering significant attention for its measured and reflective tone. In a video circulating on Instagram, travel influencer Bella delves into the common sentiment that one either loves or hates India, a notion she finds quite accurate.
Bella explains that many visitors find themselves challenged by certain aspects of Indian culture that may contradict their Western upbringing. She points out common triggers for foreigners, such as frequent honking, direct staring, the use of hands instead of utensils, and a less rigid approach to queuing. While acknowledging these practices can be irksome, she emphasizes that they are simply different, not inherently wrong.
She further stresses the importance of avoiding the assumption that Western norms represent a universal standard for manners, politeness, cleanliness, or culture. Bella highlights that India’s societal landscape is shaped by a complex history, including the enduring impacts of British colonization, which have influenced its development over the past century.
The influencer also noted the viral nature of negative content about India, suggesting that this might encourage some to create such videos. However, she maintains that while individual experiences are valid, the widespread sharing of negative perspectives isn’t necessarily a complete picture.
Elaborating in her post’s caption, Bella addressed cultural bias directly, stating, “Everyone travels with their own opinions and perspectives, which is completely fair. However, I believe comparing Indian culture to one’s own can lead to a less-than-amazing experience.” She also touched upon India’s challenges, like waste management and infrastructure issues, attributing them partly to the country’s ancient history and the lingering effects of colonization. On the other hand, she praised India’s strong sense of community, rich authentic culture, and its overall captivating nature.
Social media reactions
The post has sparked a wave of appreciation online, with many thanking her for “busting myths about India”.
“Excellent takes on this Bella. Always appreciate you busting myths about India while also showing the challenges! Love to see more perspectives on this,” one user wrote.
“I very much agree w this 🙂 India hate is more common than almost every other country on the internet, which is sad bc it’s a place everyone should experience at least once. It’s far from my favorite country but I’m so glad I went,” commented another.
“Thank you for highlighting the duality of a place and addressing unnecessary hate that a place receives!!!!” said a third user.
“What a lovely take. I wish more people would be open like this to adventures. You go girl.. winning in life,” expressed one user.