Foreigner says she felt more safe using her phone publicly in India than London
A foreign traveller shared an Instagram video saying how using her phone publicly in India felt less stressful than in London.
Before travelling to India, Emma had heard the usual warnings. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don't flash your phone in public.
But after exploring parts of the country, the foreign traveller says she came away with an unexpected conclusion: she felt more relaxed using her phone in India than she ever does in London.
Emma, who documented her journey on Instagram, shared a video of herself filming freely as she travelled through Kerala, Varkala, Guwahati and Meghalaya. The clip has since gone viral, with many users discussing how personal travel experiences can often differ from popular perceptions.
Sharing the video, she wrote, "Controversial but I actually felt less stressed about my phone in India than I do in London."
Reflecting on her trip, Emma said India challenged many of the assumptions she had carried before arriving.
Watch the video here:
"Travelling around places like Kerala, Varkala, Guwahati and Meghalaya completely challenged the narrative I'd always heard before visiting. I was filming freely, walking around with my phone out, and never had that constant 'watch your stuff' feeling in the back of my mind," she wrote.
She then contrasted that experience adding, "Meanwhile, in London? My phone is basically welded to my hand."
The comparison quickly sparked debate online. While many Indian users said the video highlighted a side of the country that often goes unnoticed, others pointed out that safety can vary from place to place and that no destination is entirely risk-free.
Emma addressed those concerns herself, clarifying that she was not making a blanket statement about either country.
"This was just my personal experience," she noted, adding that every destination comes with its own set of risks and that travellers should always remain aware of their surroundings.
The video has since resonated with thousands of viewers, many of whom said it was refreshing to hear a traveller acknowledge how reality can differ from preconceived notions.
Others appreciated that Emma framed her observations as a personal experience rather than a universal truth, with many saying the post was a reminder that the best way to understand a place is often to experience it firsthand.
Before travelling to India, Emma had heard the usual warnings. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don't flash your phone in public.
But after exploring parts of the country, the foreign traveller says she came away with an unexpected conclusion: she felt more relaxed using her phone in India than she ever does in London.
Emma, who documented her journey on Instagram, shared a video of herself filming freely as she travelled through Kerala, Varkala, Guwahati and Meghalaya. The clip has since gone viral, with many users discussing how personal travel experiences can often differ from popular perceptions.
Sharing the video, she wrote, "Controversial but I actually felt less stressed about my phone in India than I do in London."
Reflecting on her trip, Emma said India challenged many of the assumptions she had carried before arriving.
Watch the video here:
"Travelling around places like Kerala, Varkala, Guwahati and Meghalaya completely challenged the narrative I'd always heard before visiting. I was filming freely, walking around with my phone out, and never had that constant 'watch your stuff' feeling in the back of my mind," she wrote.
She then contrasted that experience adding, "Meanwhile, in London? My phone is basically welded to my hand."
The comparison quickly sparked debate online. While many Indian users said the video highlighted a side of the country that often goes unnoticed, others pointed out that safety can vary from place to place and that no destination is entirely risk-free.
Emma addressed those concerns herself, clarifying that she was not making a blanket statement about either country.
"This was just my personal experience," she noted, adding that every destination comes with its own set of risks and that travellers should always remain aware of their surroundings.
The video has since resonated with thousands of viewers, many of whom said it was refreshing to hear a traveller acknowledge how reality can differ from preconceived notions.
Others appreciated that Emma framed her observations as a personal experience rather than a universal truth, with many saying the post was a reminder that the best way to understand a place is often to experience it firsthand.
