This
is a problem that happens all over the world. And sadly it seems to happen with
great regularity in Goa. It was a fine dining restaurant and a couple,
dressed shabbily tried to enter it. The security guard realized the man was
intoxicated. He called the manager to address the issue of both intoxication
& dress code. He addressed the couple in a very polite manner that they had
a dress code as it was a fine dining restaurant. The lady dramatically
raised her voice and said “Hey we are in Goa, what dress code are you talking
about?” Now isn’t that an attitude that reeks of arrogance. Why do
tourists think they can get away doing anything/ anywhere because it’s Goa?
Does this not signify a total absence of respect for the sentiments of the
locals? According to eyewitnesses there were locals in that specific restaurant
and all of them were abiding by the dress code as demanded by that place. If
they can , then why can’t tourists follow them too?
Aaron
D Souza, a young Goan said he absolutely agreed with the staff of the
restaurant to take the decision to deny them access. He said “There are certain
dress codes at these fine dining establishments that are de facto meant to be
followed. And just because you are a tourist, you are not going to be treated
any differently. I also believe that many tourists have this misconception that
anything goes in Goa. It is offensive to the locals of the state. It’s not like
just because you’re in Goa, you lose your sense of decency.” Absolutely on
point.
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Another
young man, Archie Fernandes was equally blunt. He said “From whatever I’ve
understood, I think it’s all reflecting from the stereotypical representation
of Goa and its people on television, film and social media. That Goa is a land
of sea and sand is taken for granted. Even though that may be true all of us
need to follow guidelines issued by the authorities when entering certain
premises be it fine dining restaurants, theatres, clubs and parks or
playgrounds. I have never seen a native Goan roaming on the streets of Goa with
his Royal Enfield shirtless but I’ve seen too many tourists doing that while
they’re enjoying the so-called freedom of being in Goa”.
Swizel
Quadroz a graphic designer said the sad truth was that just because it was the
tourism industry, it could not mean that anything could be accepted.
Restaurants she said had to stand their ground and enforce their laws in a
polite fashion. She said “It is a pity tourists believe they can do absolutely
anything and get away with it. The new generation of tourists thinks they can
wear anything. We need to have some decency. They need to be aware of their
surroundings”. She said this could be all done in a tactful manner and it
needed to be done.
Elton
Simoes a student in a local college felt any place/region that one visits has
its own norms and traditions, being mindful of these norms was the
responsibility of an individual. Believing that Goa is a place where anything
is allowed sets a very dangerous precedent that can lead to the moral
degradation of society. He said “Decency and civility are virtues that need to
be upheld at all cost otherwise we end up turning into a barbarian society”.
Savio
Messias, a veteran of the travel industry, was typically blunt. He said “The
problem is they think they can do whatever they want. The fact that alcohol is
cheap does not make matters any easier. Tourists just walk in and they
behave as if they own the place. Sad to say the Delhiite comes here and they
behave so rudely. You can see the way they drive their bikes and cars which are
taken on hire. It happens all over the world sadly. Look at the behavior
of young British tourists around the world. Speaking about this specific
episode, instances like this happen in bars and pubs. It rarely ever happens in
a fine dining restaurant. Why do our domestic tourists occasionally behave in
such a crass fashion? This cannot continue. That’s all I am willing to say
now.”
However
like everything in life there are always those who have a different take on
things. Freddy Fernandes, a young Goan however felt it had nothing at all to do
with either Goans, Goa or the Goan culture being taken for granted. He said
“This is an issue of us ‘Indians’ taking our moral and ethical
values for granted. Tourists getting drunk and causing inconvenience to locals
and others are also an increasing scene in our state. Money-spending
power also greatly leads to some thinking they can do anything without being
obliged to follow or be concerned about societal norms and morals. However,
this incident does not define us Goans as being taken for granted. It does not
define every tourist that visits our state as taking Goan hospitality for
granted. I believe this is an isolated incident”. Ok…
One can only hope such
situations do not reoccur because it could vitiate the atmosphere and that
could only be bad for business and the general smooth flow of life. No one
would want that
