When it comes to travelling there is a big difference between up for grabs and stealing. While you might
be able to pack away small bottles of shampoos, the hairdryer in the bathroom
is a big no-no. Recently, Indian tourists were caught stealing from a hotel in
Bali, Indonesia as their baggage was scanned after they checked out of the
hotel. The height of this incident was a man saying that he is ready to pay for
the items as the hotel staff replies that ‘I know you have a lot of money but
this is no respect.’
As Indians, we are ambassadors of the nation while travelling
within the country and abroad and have to behave accordingly. And amany
frequent travellers in Goa agree
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Goan author Rohan Govekar says, “In this particular case on the
video, you may say ‘it’s just kleptomania; anyone can be a kleptomaniac.’, and
I would not disagree.
However, more disgraceful than the act resulting from a
psychotic disorder, is the mannerism and the arrogance of the family who are
trying to look down at the hotel staff, and going by the content of the video,
have also previously yelled at them for accusing them of thievery.
It’s when they travel abroad that they defame the entire Indian
community with their crass, cheap behaviour. I am of the opinion that, on the
lines of a driving test for obtaining a driving license, the Government of
India need to conduct a ‘Travel etiquette’ test before issuing passports. And
any report of bad behaviour by Indian tourists should also result in
cancellation of passports.”
Nancy Gonsalves from Chicalim is working in Dubai and has to
travel abroad for conferences throughout the year. “I haven’t faced anything
personally but I have been for conferences and meetings in Sweden where they
made fun of Indians which was quite disturbing. There has been a sentence of
two about Indians which was offending. Maybe because of my surname, they might
have not realised that there was an Indian in that conference,” says Nancy.
Clinton Vaz of vRecycle, has to travel extensively and the first
part of travelling abroad is boarding a flight and Clinton has faced
embarrassing moments when he sees Indian fellow travellers behaving unruly in
the flights. “When Indians use the toilets before landing, they take away
amenities like moisturisers and hand wash from the toilets which is quite
embarrassing.
Secondly, Indians get drunk on flights more than people of other
nationalities who also drink but still can carry themselves. Indians get drunk
and make a scene which is not only embarrassing but also funny. We have a
reputation for being loud and taking advantage of anything that is free,” says
Clinton.
Peter Fernandes from Vasco has been travelling to different
destinations across Europe and Asia and has felt the brunt of misbehaviour by
other Indian travellers. “In airplanes, it is a terrible sight to see Indian
travellers urging the airhostesses to serve them liquor even after they are
politely declined. Recently, I was in Bangkok and found that the clubs were
denying us entry because they say that five to six Indian men sit with just a
bottle of a soft drink and while away their time. Shopping there is also a
problem because Thailand shopkeepers are fed up with the bargaining skills of
Indians and they rudely tell you to go away. They also assume that breakfast
can be packed away for lunch,” says Peter.
Shailesh Naik, a mechanical engineer from Margao is a frequent
flyer. “Indian men don’t know how to behave in front of women, they are seeing
ogling at them in public even outside India. There is a video doing rounds
about what can be taken and must not be taken from hotel rooms after the Bali
incident. Indian travellers think that everything is free and can be taken away
while portraying other travellers in a bad light. Even washrooms are dirtied by
Indians and foreigners assume that all Indians are the same and we are
categorised in that manner,” explains Shailesh.
Ramchandra Salgaonkar is known for his travel talks like ‘17
Days of Europe Trip within 1000 Euro’s’ and his trails within Goa. He says,
“There are two parts – behaviour of Indians and the knowledge of Indians.Only
blaming will not help. Indians have to know well the rules and regulations of
each place and if despite knowing this, they act in such a way then they have
to be punished.
For example, in Airbnb homes, the rules are clearly mentioned to
the minutest details, like spilling of tea on bed attracts a fine. We Indians
have to change the way we behave. We have to introduce leanings in our
curriculum at the school and college level, then only we will have a change.
Our
curriculum doesn’t teach us all the life skills since the initial base level
learning happen in school. Incidents like in Bali, spoil the image of Indians
even further and in turn affects the tourism prospects of our country.”
