Polish Woman Calls Out Stereotypes In India: "He's My Husband, Not My Tour Guide"
A Polish content creator married to an Indian man has sparked discussion online after highlighting a stereotype she says she repeatedly encounters while travelling across India.
In a viral post on Instagram, Gabriela, who often shares glimpses of her life with husband Hardik Varma, expressed frustration over how people frequently mistake her husband for her tour guide or driver.
"The most awkward moment whenever we come to a new place in India. Sadly, it's NOT a rare occurrence anymore. Almost every second shopkeeper or auto/taxi driver assumes Hardik is my tour guide - and sometimes even my driver. Why?" she wrote.
Questioning the assumption, she added, "Which girl walks around holding hands and taking thousands of pictures with her tour guide?"
Gabriela also shared a lip-sync video with her husband, calling out such behaviour as "rude", and urged people to move past outdated assumptions about interracial or intercultural couples.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gabriela & Hardik Varma | Travel & Indian Culture (@hardikandgabi)
The post quickly went viral, with social media users both supporting her message and sharing similar experiences. Others acknowledged the deep-rooted biases that still exist when it comes to cross-cultural relationships in India.
A user commented, "Maybe you should marry again in India with a big announcement like your motortour."
Another user wrote, "You both look good i dont understand why ppl are suggesting barber & gym for him...idk why ppl find it difficult to accept the truth that human beings come in diff shades, shapes & sizes! If everyone has to be similar, then no one will be unique! Lets live without judgements!"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tourism hits Rs 22 lakh crore runway — India's travel boom ready for takeoff
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in Services 1. India's international visitor spend soars to record highs: WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is forecasting a 'record-breaking' year for India's travel and tourism sector this year, with its economic contribution set to reach over '22 lakh crore in 2025, whilst employment in the sector is expected to reach more than 48 visitor spending is expected to reach '3.2 lakh crore, whilst spending from domestic travellers is set to hit '16 lakh stated that by 2035, travel and tourism's contribution to the economy is forecast to almost double, at just under '42 lakh crore, with the sector employing almost 64 million released on Tuesday from WTTC showed that international visitor spends in India reached a record '3.1 lakh crore in 2024, 9% above the previous peak of to WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), while domestic travel has remained a 'vital force', with spending soaring to '15.5 lakh crore, (22% above 2019 levels), the revival of international tourism is now propelling the sector into a 'bold' new era of and tourism contributed almost '21 lakh crore to the Indian economy last year, 20% more than 2019 sector also supported an all-time high of almost 46.5 million jobs, equivalent to 9.1% of total employment across country also welcomed 20 million international visitors in 2024, 2.3 million more than while overall international visitor numbers went up considerably last year, as per WTTC research, the numbers and the growth, compared to pre pandemic levels, seem to have been driven considerably by visits by non-resident Indians. As per data released by the ministry of tourism, India received more than 9.65 million foreign tourists in calendar year 2024, rising 1.4% from 9.52 million in 2023 but declining 11.6% from 10.93 million in said it calls for continued investment and targeted policy support, and would urge the government to reconsider its recent decision to reduce funding for overseas tourism promotion."India's travel & tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with international visitor numbers now at record highs after a period of strong domestic reliance. We strongly support the government's plans to simplify the e-visa process. Making it easier to visit India is one of the fastest ways to unlock further international arrivals and spending," said Julia Simpson, president and CEO, WTTC. "While visa on arrival and e-visa systems are in place, reciprocal policies and long delays for key markets like the US, where appointments are reportedly unavailable until 2026 continue to hinder tourists," she global tourism body's research also reveals India's business travel is experiencing record growth, with combined domestic and international spending hitting '1.1 lakh crore last year, surpassing the 2019 peak by 2.6%.The council said India is 'well-placed' to become one of the world's most dynamic tourism economies, with its dynamic mix of heritage, natural beauty, and modern innovation, and that it calls on the government to match the sector's resilience and ambition with 'clear', 'consistent' policy support.
News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
Salman Khan's Ready Completes 14 Years, Fans React As BTS Photos From Sets Go Viral
Last Updated: Released on June 3, 2011, Ready was a remake of a Telugu hit and went on to become one of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters Salman Khan's action-comedy Ready has completed 14 years today. Directed by Anees Bazmee, the 2011 entertainer still holds a special place in the hearts of fans for its catchy songs, comic timing. To celebrate the film's milestone, director Anees Bazmee took to social media to share some rare behind-the-scenes (BTS) photos from the sets. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anees Bazmee shared photos and wrote, 'When I look back at Ready, I don't just see a film- I see the faces of those who connected with it. Strangers who became family through a shared story. For 14 years, Ready has lived because you chose to carry him with you. From the depths of my being- thank you for giving Ready his forever." One of the fans wrote, 'Amazing film sir. Watched it so many times." Another wrote, 'Fantastic, we should make part 2." Take a look here: Released on June 3, 2011, Ready was a remake of a Telugu hit and went on to become one of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters of that year. Apart from its storyline, the film became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its chartbuster tracks like 'Dhinka Chika," 'Character Dheela," and the hilarious family antics that kept audiences thoroughly entertained. Recently, Salman Khan was spotted by the paparazzi after a long time, making a rare public appearance in Mumbai. The superstar, who is under Y+ security due to ongoing death threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was surrounded by a tight security detail as he stepped out from Galaxy apartments. On the work front, while Salman hasn't officially announced any new films, reports suggest he has signed Apoorva Lakhia's next project, which will reportedly be based on the Galwan Valley conflict. Filming is expected to begin in July. Meanwhile, buzz is building around Salman's potential return to television. The actor is reportedly set to reprise his role as host for Bigg Boss 19, with promos likely to be shot by the end of June. A tentative launch window for the season is expected in late July. Adding to the speculation, fresh rumours suggest that Salman might also take over hosting duties for Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17. Reports claim that Amitabh Bachchan may step away from the quiz show due to personal reasons. 'Get ready to tune into Sony as Salman Khan might host the biggest and most popular quiz show of India," a source quoted in reports said. First Published: June 03, 2025, 20:14 IST
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Sydney Sweeney's bathwater soap stirs controversy over hygiene, ethics
Sydney Sweeney's new soap bar made with her real bathwater, launched with Dr Squatch, has gone viral and sparked widespread discussion about hygiene and celebrity marketing ethics New Delhi Celebrity endorsements are not new, but Sydney Sweeney's latest collaboration has taken personal branding to another level. Her partnership with men's grooming brand Dr Squatch has resulted in a soap bar reportedly made using her actual bathwater. The limited-edition product, named Sydney Bathwater Bliss, has stunned fans and critics alike. A promotional image featuring Sweeney in a bathtub, covered in soap and holding the bar, quickly went viral across social media platforms. Dr Squatch promotion fuels public curiosity and confusion 'In collaboration with Sydney Sweeney, we created a limited-edition soap infused with her actual bathwater,' read a caption on a promotional post from @drsquatch on Instagram. While some found the concept intriguing, others were left baffled. Sweeney confirmed in an interview with GQ USA that the soap does in fact contain her bathwater. 'When we were at the [Dr Squatch] shoot, they had a tub for me. And I actually got in there and I took some soap, and we had a nice little bath and they took the water. So it's my real bathwater.' She described the scent as inspired by her roots: 'There's this really outdoorsy scent of pine and earthy moss and fir... super manly. But then there's some city bathwater mixed in.' The product is priced at around $8, approximately ₹685 per bar, and is scheduled for launch on 6 June. Online backlash questions marketing ethics and objectification On platforms like Reddit, the soap has become a trending topic, with users debating the implications of using a celebrity's bathwater in a commercial product. Several threads have raised concerns that the stunt may contribute to the objectification of women, veiled as quirky marketing. Sydney Sweeney's instagram's post shows that users are having various opinion on the matter. Despite its claims, experts suggest the soap is primarily a publicity gimmick. According to the listed ingredients, the bar includes pine bark extract, sea salt, shea butter, sand, a trace amount of bathwater, and other standard skincare elements. Dr Geeta Grewal, founder and CMD of 9 Muses Wellness Clinic, told India Today, 'It's about the formulation of the bar and whether it is made with good ingredients. If the ingredients are not harsh, they are hydrating, they are soothing—of course, that will be good.' Marketing stunt or luxury skincare innovation? While Sydney Bathwater Bliss has gained immense traction online, the debate over the boundaries of celebrity branding, consumer fascination, and ethical marketing continues to evolve. Whether the soap sees lasting success or fades as a viral stunt remains to be seen.
