Coarse correction

Indians are among the most disliked tourists abroad. It's not always racism. Here's how to travel without offending

- SEEMA GOSWAMI

I don’t think it will come as a massive surprise to anyone that Indians travelling abroad are among the most disliked tourists throughout the world. Our unpopularity extends all the way from America to Japan, taking in every European destination along the way. Even in popular holiday spots closer home like Bangkok, Singapore or even Dubai, the Ugly Indian Tourist is well hated.

And no, not all of this is down to racism — though I don’t deny that racism sometimes plays into it. It’s because most of us simply haven’t mastered the tasks of reading the rooms we are in and respecting cultural differences as we travel the world. As a result, half the time we end up offending people even without realising that we are doing it.