“Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God) may be the norm in India, yet some foreigners would argue otherwise. When asked which country would provide superior hospitality—Pakistan or India—one Canadian man picked Pakistan without giving it a second thought. On both sides of the border and beyond, his brief chat with an Instagram user is currently going viral.
India vs Pakistan
Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure was recently stopped by Instagram user @officialnamour, who is well-known for his vox pop videos, to inquire about his thoughts on Desi hospitality.
“Which country offers better hospitality, India or Pakistan?” They asked Saumure.
“Obviously, Pakistan,” the Canadian man said.
When asked why he chose Pakistan, Saumure responded that Indians treat Westerners more like profitable clients with limitless resources than like visitors to their nation. In contrast, Pakistanis are hospitable and invite visitors to enjoy their cuisine and even their homes.
Saumure remarked, “When you travel to India, people just see you as a walking ATM.” People say, ‘Come here, sit,’ when you visit Pakistan. Enjoy this complimentary meal. Come overnight at my house, please.
How viewers reacted
With more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, the film has received widespread support for Saumure’s viewpoint.
As an African residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, I concur with him that Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. An Instagram user said, “Indians view you as complete strangers, while Pakistan views you as a friend.”
Another said simply, “I agree (I am Indian),” keeping it brief.
There is a rationale behind it. Since India receives a lot of tourists, we are accustomed to it and have really developed the economy to accommodate them. Since Pakistan only receives a few hundred tourists year, seeing a foreigner is a significant event for them, an Instagram user explained.
The Canadian’s viewpoint was criticized by others. “Preferring not to be harassed is not princess treatment,” Saumure responded to a user who queried, “Why do white people expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from Indians?”
Canadian travel vlogger Nolan Saumure has traveled to numerous nations, including as the United States, Vietnam, Mexico, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
