Harsh Goenka shares 2019 Swiss hotel rules for Indians amid civic sense debate
Harsh Goenka linked viral videos of Indians abroad to a broader lack of civic sense. His remarks revived memories of a Swiss hotel's special rules for Indian guests and renewed debate on public behaviour overseas.
Industrialist Harsh Goenka has reignited a debate on Indians’ behaviour abroad after sharing a Swiss hotel notice from 2019 that was meant exclusively for Indian guests.
Goenka said the incident, which he had first shared on X in 2019, was a reminder that while Indians are earning global recognition for their achievements, certain public behaviours continue to attract criticism overseas.
Responding to the debate, Goenka said India's growing global influence should also be accompanied by greater civic responsibility.
In a post on social media, he recalled visiting Gstaad, a luxury resort town in Switzerland, where he came across a notice displayed at Hotel Arc-en-ciel. According to Goenka, the hotel had put up a separate set of guidelines specifically for Indian guests.
The notice, reportedly issued by hotel manager Christian Matti, welcomed Indian visitors before listing rules that guests were expected to follow during their stay. Goenka said he was “appalled” to see a separate set of instructions targeted at one nationality.
Drawing parallels with recent incidents, he pointed to viral videos showing groups of Indians dancing garba inside restaurants overseas. He also referred to loud conversations in airports and instances where airline cabins are turned into informal picnic spots, with passengers opening and sharing home-cooked meals during flights.
See the post here:
The discussion began after videos of Indians performing garba in public spaces abroad sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewed the displays as celebrations of culture, while others argued that such activities can be disruptive when carried out in inappropriate settings.
Goenka further cited an incident from Davos, where he claimed an Indian businessman played Punjabi music so loudly at a club that it could be heard across the town, describing it as “soft power” despite the disturbance it caused.
While acknowledging that Indians are making their mark around the world in business, technology and innovation, Goenka argued that civic sense remains an area requiring improvement.
He pointed to Japan as an example of how courtesy, discipline and respect for shared spaces have helped shape a positive global image.
“If India wants to be a true global superpower, the world should remember Indians for excellence, consideration and respect for others,” he said, adding that the country’s civic sense “seriously needs to be upgraded.”
His remarks have since triggered a wider conversation online about balancing cultural expression with public etiquette when travelling abroad.
Industrialist Harsh Goenka has reignited a debate on Indians’ behaviour abroad after sharing a Swiss hotel notice from 2019 that was meant exclusively for Indian guests.
Goenka said the incident, which he had first shared on X in 2019, was a reminder that while Indians are earning global recognition for their achievements, certain public behaviours continue to attract criticism overseas.
Responding to the debate, Goenka said India's growing global influence should also be accompanied by greater civic responsibility.
In a post on social media, he recalled visiting Gstaad, a luxury resort town in Switzerland, where he came across a notice displayed at Hotel Arc-en-ciel. According to Goenka, the hotel had put up a separate set of guidelines specifically for Indian guests.
The notice, reportedly issued by hotel manager Christian Matti, welcomed Indian visitors before listing rules that guests were expected to follow during their stay. Goenka said he was “appalled” to see a separate set of instructions targeted at one nationality.
Drawing parallels with recent incidents, he pointed to viral videos showing groups of Indians dancing garba inside restaurants overseas. He also referred to loud conversations in airports and instances where airline cabins are turned into informal picnic spots, with passengers opening and sharing home-cooked meals during flights.
See the post here:
The discussion began after videos of Indians performing garba in public spaces abroad sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewed the displays as celebrations of culture, while others argued that such activities can be disruptive when carried out in inappropriate settings.
Goenka further cited an incident from Davos, where he claimed an Indian businessman played Punjabi music so loudly at a club that it could be heard across the town, describing it as “soft power” despite the disturbance it caused.
While acknowledging that Indians are making their mark around the world in business, technology and innovation, Goenka argued that civic sense remains an area requiring improvement.
He pointed to Japan as an example of how courtesy, discipline and respect for shared spaces have helped shape a positive global image.
“If India wants to be a true global superpower, the world should remember Indians for excellence, consideration and respect for others,” he said, adding that the country’s civic sense “seriously needs to be upgraded.”
His remarks have since triggered a wider conversation online about balancing cultural expression with public etiquette when travelling abroad.
