“Why Do We Look Down On Our Own? Indian Man Reveals How Indians Treat Each Other Overseas

An Indian man residing in the United States stirred a storm of emotions and reflection on Reddit after sharing an incident that many found deeply relatable. His post entitled, “Is it just me or do Indians abroad look down on their own? Here’s my personal experience,” delved into a brief, awkward encounter in a New York City coffee shop that left him questioning the sense of camaraderie among Indians living overseas.

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Having lived in the US for over a decade, the Reddit user shared that he had embraced the American way of exchanging smiles and casual greetings with strangers. So, when he spotted another Indian-looking man at a café and greeted him politely, he expected a warm or at least neutral response. Instead, he was met with a cold and dismissive expression. The stranger’s attitude quickly shifted into arrogance as he began boasting about his startup and the funding he had secured, leaving the Redditor feeling like he was being subtly looked down upon.

What followed was an ironic twist. The original poster revealed that he worked as an investor at a venture capital firm and as it turned out, the very startup this man was flaunting had recently received backing from his firm. Upon realising this, the man’s tone and behaviour changed dramatically, turning what was already a strange situation into something even more uncomfortable. “Awkward doesn’t even cover it,” the post read.

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The Redditor ended his story with a pointed question that struck a chord across the platform: “Why is it that a lot of Indians abroad act like this with each other? Would it kill us to just be nice or at least not look down on someone?”

Here is the post:

Is It Just Me or Do Indians Abroad Look Down on Their Own? here's my personal experience
byu/Weary-Risk-8655 inindia

This raw and honest account triggered a flood of responses from other Indians living abroad, many of whom echoed similar sentiments. One user remarked that they often felt more kindness and friendliness from foreigners than from fellow Indians. Another reflected that unless someone appears wealthy or well-connected, they are often treated as if they don’t exist. A third voice lamented how quickly the values of unity and cultural warmth seem to vanish once Indians leave the country.

The post, now widely circulated, has prompted serious discussion around social behaviour class dynamics and the fragmentation of community ties among Indians overseas. What began as a chance meeting in a coffee shop has grown into a larger conversation, one that many believe was long overdue.

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