‘Gross' or cultural? Indian-origin woman eating with hand on London Tube divides the Internet

Indian Express

29-05-2025

A video of an Indian-origin woman eating curry and rice with her hand aboard a London Tube train has triggered a fierce online debate, with reactions ranging from cultural appreciation to outrage.
Originally shared by TikTok user @ub1ub2 and later reposted by X user @RadioGenoa, the clip shows the woman seated casually on the train, enjoying her meal in the traditional Indian style – using her hand – while speaking loudly on the phone.
Sharing the video, the X user wrote, 'RIP London.'
Watch the video here:
RIP London. pic.twitter.com/DlfvAWUHio
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) May 27, 2025
Since its upload, the clip has garnered over a million views and prompted a sea of reactions. While some users found the moment relatable or culturally significant, others criticised it. Many labelled the behaviour as 'unhygienic' and 'inappropriate' for a public setting like the London Underground.
The woman's loud phone conversation also drew criticism, with several viewers noting that it could be disruptive to fellow passengers. Others commented that she 'should have used cutlery' to eat. 'Asians and Indians eat rice and fish with their hands, so what? She's not bothering anyone except maybe the curry smell. It is rather pungent to someone not used to it. But no one around her seems to mind except the person videoing her. At least she's not running around stabbing or assaulting people, eh?' a user wrote.
'If you're a guest in someone's country. Be grateful and adapt,' another user commented. 'Aside from eating in public with your fingers like that… Imagine touching all those rails and ticket kiosks and handles and then just putting your fingers in your mouth,' a third user reacted. 'Gross,' a fourth user said.
Eating with hands is a rooted cultural practice in India. It is believed that the act of eating with one's hands engages all the senses, enhancing the overall dining experience. This practice is especially common in South Indian and rural households, where meals are enjoyed on banana leaves or metal plates.