The smallest everyday habits often say the most about a place. They are not written in guidebooks or taught before moving to a new country. Instead, they become part of daily life over time. That is what a Polish woman living in India has highlighted through a recent Instagram post that is now getting plenty of attention online.Rather than talking about famous landmarks or cultural celebrations, she chose to focus on ordinary moments that have become completely natural for her after living in India. Her observations struck a chord with many people, with social media users saying they reflected everyday life in the country in a simple and relatable way.
Polish woman shares 15 habits she follows only in India
The post was shared by Instagram user Dominika Patalas Kalra, who often documents her experiences of living in India.In her latest Instagram post, she listed 15 things she happily does in India but says she would never do abroad.She wrote, “I’ll happily eat street food in India from a stall with no visible hygiene standards, but suddenly become a food safety expert abroad.”She also said she would get into an auto with a driver she had known for only “12 seconds” and trust him completely.Her list also included crossing roads through traffic without paying much attention to pedestrian crossings, drinking roadside chai “like it’s a five star experience”, and trusting a random uncle’s directions more than Google Maps.She further mentioned entering someone’s home after hearing “Arre, come inside!”, smiling through unsolicited advice from aunties on life, marriage, and career, eating extremely spicy food while insisting it was “not that spicy”, and squeezing into crowded autos, buses, and trains despite having very little personal space.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.The list also featured having dinner at midnight, attending weddings where she barely knew anyone, accepting food from neighbours to avoid offending them, calling strangers “bhaiya”, “didi”, “uncle” or “aunty”, spending hours sitting on a plastic chair outside a roadside shop, and saying she was “5 minutes away” while still at home.She ended the post by writing, “India just has a different rulebook.”
Internet says, ‘You are very much Indian’
The post received several reactions from Instagram users, many of whom said they related to her observations.“The last one is so true,” one user wrote.Another joked, “Congratulations. You get your Aadhaar card now.”“So nice to know how well you’ve adjusted to the lifestyle in India!” commented one person.Another user wrote, “I’m so glad you have experienced the warmth of India and Indians.”“All this simply means you are very much Indian,” another comment read.Other users also shared reactions such as, “You summed up India pretty well”, “Rules are made to be recreated and modified,” “Isn’t it just the most peaceful life?” and “Just Indian things.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a social media post and the experiences shared by the individual. The views expressed are personal and are not intended to represent the experiences of everyone living in or visiting India.Thumb image: Instagram/@domipatalas
