Is what we have heard umpteen number of foreigners(firangis) mention about india, and quoted as the prime reason why they do not wish to visit india, either as tourist or for work. My recent visit to Italy and paris were eye-openers of a sort.
I am a huge fan of Einstein's theory of relativity. What is considered dirty by indians is dirtiest filth for a foreigner, and what is considered clean by us is dirty for foreigners. But can anyone escape un-tidiness, dirt and filth using einsteins marvelous theory?
A famous saying goes, preach what you practice, u will realize that it is not always true with the Foreigners. They very openly complain that india is dirty, indian food is not hygienic, india is full of beggers, india is not tourist friendly and all that. Visit one of the tourist spots in europe and you will find
The place is filled with vendors and hawkers offering many imitations (many of these vendors are asians, africans and even europeans)
There are various carts serving variety of healthy food items( healthy fried meat, healthy fortified sugar candies and sweets, So healthy when compared to the dirty indian food)
Beggers, modern day beggers who just kneel down, bend their heads and project a paper cup.
freaky looking dudes in all weird clothing and jewellery. Talk about foreigners complaining about odd and strange looking people in india. The hostile aura created by them is the same though
Silly and cost conscious localites. Yes, that definition does not only fit the indians. There are dudes who dont buy tickets and instead jump counters, there are dudes who use public transport, who bring food from home and what not.
Dirtying of public places and tourist spots. I was shocked by the tune of graffiti that adorns Italy(Milan, venice and rome). The subway system in Rome is fully decorated with graffiti, so much so that you cant see through the windows to understand which station we are in.
absolute lack of respect for outsiders. I was in paris, there was a cop dude whom I approached to ask for a location. He declined to answer till I greeted him(bonjour). How in god's name should I know that is the culture or custom there. And these people complain that indians are too proactive in helping the visitors and hence are unsafe and picky. I say our culture is more guest friendly.
language- Almost all indians can manage with english, be it for guiding tourists or helping them sort any other needs while in india. It is not the case with any european country. We need to know their tounge or get help only from tourist information centres. no other option.
All in all, movies like slumdog millionaire only tarnish the image of india(though the events shown there may be true), but the truth is far from what is perceived by europeans. India is definitely much better in athithi sanskar. for us it is "Athithi Devo Bhava" for them may be it is "Athithi Tum kab jaoge" :)
PS: I really enjoyed the experience of visiting, paris, milan, rome and venice despite all the above
PS2: check the photo 1 that iam attaching below, taken while climbing the dome of St Ptrs Basilica in Rome(considered home of catholics). Prime example of how clean those folks are. Photo 2 is something funny that I found :) have fun
