Indian tourist turn European street into Garba dance floor. Not cool, say netizens

Travel is meant to be an exchange of cultures, ideas, and respect. But what happens when enthusiasm crosses the fine line into entitlement? A recent viral video featuring Indian tourists turning a European street into a Garba dance floor has reignited the debate around travel etiquette and cultural sensitivity. What was meant to be a proud cultural moment for some has become a point of embarrassment for many others.

In the now widely circulated Instagram video, an Indian woman shared her excitement by asking her followers in a video if they have ever thought of playing Garba in Europe and how she can tick it off her bucket list now. The footage showed a group of 43 Gujarati-Marwari tourists in Austria approaching two local street performers and requesting they play Indian music. The musicians, visibly hesitant, reportedly warned that police action might follow. But the tourists were undeterred as they weren’t ready to leave without doing Garba.

Soon after, the group broke into a full-blown Garba performance right in the middle of the street. While some onlookers appeared amused, many netizens back home cringed. The video sparked a wave of backlash online, especially from fellow Gujaratis.

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Internet reacts

Several netizens reacted strongly after a video of Indian tourists performing Garba on a busy Austrian street went viral. While the group appeared to enjoy themselves, many viewers criticized their behavior as disruptive and disrespectful to local culture and space. A common sentiment across responses was disappointment over the growing reputation of Indian tourists for being inconsiderate. The overwhelming reaction reflected a desire for more responsible behavior abroad, celebrating culture, yes, but in a way that respects others' space and local norms.

Many commenters, including some Garba lovers, called the act “embarrassing” and distanced themselves from it. They pointed out that even in India, people don’t randomly break into Garba on streets without permission, and doing so abroad seemed inappropriate and forced. Others noted that tourists travel to Europe to experience its culture, not to be surrounded by familiar music and behavior that belongs back home.

Some netizens also raised concern for the street performers, or buskers, who were already performing in the area. The Garba group interrupted their act and diverted attention away from artists trying to make a living. Commenters drew analogies, saying this was akin to interrupting someone’s work to indulge in personal fun.