It seems like a bad time for Hotel companies as JW Marriott another big name is getting into controversies. Industrialist Harsh Goenka has protested against a hotel in Switzerland for a harsh notice specifically to “guests from India”
In a recent tweet, Harsh shared a picture of the notice saying that he felt “angry, humiliated and wanted to protest” after reading it.
Here’s the tweet:
Reading this notice I felt angry, humiliated and wanted to protest.
But a realisation dawned that we as tourists are loud, rude, not culturally sensitive. With India becoming an international power, our tourists are our best global ambassadors. Let’s work on changing our image! pic.twitter.com/7R4ZrZIXKi— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) July 22, 2019
If you can’t read it properly, here’s the text written in the image:
‘Guests from India’ were asked to refrain from carrying “anything” from the breakfast buffet. “Please do not take anything with you, the food is for breakfast only. If you would like a lunch bag, you can order it from the service stall and pay for it.”
Indian guests were also asked to use the cutlery provided at the table.
Moreover, tourists were directed to not “speak loudly” in the balcony and “be quiet” in the corridor. “In addition to you, there are other guests from all over the world in the hotel. They also appreciate the peace and quiet,” it said. “Thank you very much and enjoy your stay in Gstaad,” Christian Matti signed off the notice after listing the entire set of rules and regulations.
In the tweet, Goenka has slammed the hotel but he has also requested tourists from India to maintain a code of conduct. “But a realisation dawned that we as tourists are loud, rude, not culturally sensitive. With India becoming an international power, our tourists are our best global ambassadors. Let’s work on changing our image,” he added.
Users on Twitter also agreed to his statement. Here are some reactions:
1.
all due respect to your sentiments here (& i agree we should learn to behave) but i will never patronise a hotel that can be so rude as this. not v far from the 'indian' tourist behaviour that they are pointedly talking about. scrimping during travel is also not indian alone.
— Manjula (@foodalistic) July 22, 2019
2.
Though I can understand what they may have faced, this is as racist as it can get. If they had to do this, then they should send you this at time of booking. Atleast you can choose to boycotting the hotel if you are offended, and spend your money elsewhere
— Suhail Sameer (@SuhailSameer14) July 22, 2019
3.
While I agree we can be better behaved, singling out Indians is unfairly hurting our sensibilities. Eg. packing lunch at the breakfast buffet is something I found Caucasian families doing in the Bay Area, Singapore and Europe.
— Deepali Gupta (@guptadeep) July 22, 2019
4.
Sir, you are right. We don’t have a case to protest here. What this all implies is to whatever extent Indians are learned we still have this image abroad. The only way is to incluclate good civic behaviour in schools and colleges and give the right focus on behavioural capability
— Sriram P (@sriramcbe) July 22, 2019
5.
Shocking behaviour really by Indian tourists. Saw this behaviour in Switzerland this year and was dismayed that even basic courtesies, cleanliness is disregarded by our people all of whom are clearly educated and well off, travelling to these countries.
— Ameet Datta 🇮🇳 (@DattaAmeet) July 22, 2019
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments section.
