Westerners say auto drivers and tourist operators try to rip them off, but there's little else to complain about
Westerners say auto drivers and tourist operators try to rip them off, but there's little else to complain about
While Indians in Australia are suffering racist attacks, Westerners in India say they don't feel discriminated against.
"I can't recall any incident that happened to me or to someone I know," says Elizabeth Turchi, a French professional who has been working in India for the last two years.
Help at any cost
"Discrimination...You mean in a negative way?" asks Walter Cottingham, an American from Boston who lives in Bangalore and who says being white in India is usually more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
"Because I stand out, many people are interested in me," says Cottingham. "If they can help me in any way, they will."
He remembers the first time he flew to Bangalore. "I sat next to a man on the plane and even though he was getting off at Mumbai and I was continuing on to Bangalore, he went out of his way to help make sure I got to the domestic airport from the international airport."
Jana Hunt, an Australian who has been living in India for the last year-and-a-half years, also says she has not witnessed any racism directed toward foreigners.
None of the expats MiD DAY interviewed said they felt the Australian attacks had changed the situation.
u00a0
Culture shocks
But that doesn't mean there are no culture shocks or tensions. "We sometimes feel like the Indians endure us more than they appreciate us," says Elizabeth.
She recalls an American woman who was furious because of mail lost in the post. She went on a tirade, suggesting that foreigners were coming to India to help the local economy and should get recognition for it.
"It didn't go down well with the community," says Elizabeth, who believes any attitude that harks back to the colonialist past is bound to create tension.
Paying extra
Foreigners in India also complain about the extra money they have to dole out for goods and services. Some of it is unofficial, such as autorickshaw drivers and vendors trying to overcharge them. But sometimes it's official.
Jordan Bintcliffe, a 19-year-old Briton, has come to India to work as a volunteeru00a0u00a0 on different community projects. Last weekend, he went to Hampi with a group of foreigners and was shocked to see that while Indians paid Rs 10 to visit some temples, foreigners had to pay Rs 250 25 times more.
While in Hampi, Bintcliffe also got on to a boat to cross the river and visit both sides of the archeological site. While locals paid Rs 5 for the ride, he paid double.
"I asked why I had to pay more and the only answer I got was a hand stretching out and a voice repeating '10 rupees'. I had no choice but to pay."
Not racism
"It can't be considered as racism," says Jana Hunt, who's gone through similar experiences. "But it gets a bit irritating. If you go to Europe or the US, it's always one price for everyone."
Indians not afraid of Australia
The racist attacks in Australia are not stopping Indians from visiting the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We haven't had any special inquiries about Australia or any cancellation demands. We don't see any effect," said an employee of Raj Travels yesterday.
An employee at Sita World Travel said he too had not seen cancellations or a slowdown in the demand for tickets to Australia.
The Bangalore offices of Thomas Cook, Cox & Kings and SOTC said the attacks had no effect on their sales.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
