Anna Haakenson, an American who travels the world with her family, shares her thoughts on India. After spending two and a half months in the country, she noticed the cultural differences between India and the United States.
Her Instagram Reel, which contains critical comments about India, has gone viral, garnering 4.6 million views in just four days. Here’s what he had to say.
According to Anna, honking in the US signals anger, while in India it acts as a friendly warning. Food labeled spicy in America feels bland. But in India it can overwhelm your stomach.
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He finds that Americans usually avoid talking. However, Indians are free to ask questions.
“People will absolutely ask where you’re from, where you’re going and why,” she says.
Haakenson observed that in the U.S., trash ends up in dumpsters, while in India, it can land wherever someone drops it. Roads in America follow rules. But India feels like a “controlled chaos” that “outsiders don’t understand”.
According to the traveler, American seasons are predictable, but India goes through heat, monsoons and sudden warmer days.
She saw more temples and festivals than she expected.
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“Temples everywhere + festivals dominating entire cities,” he says.
Anna Haakenson thinks that everything is expensive in America, while India is lighter on the pocket.
He notes another significant difference. Indian households often span multiple generations, which feels very different from the usual American “single family” arrangement.
“I knew India would be different, but I didn’t know how much!” she wrote in the comments section.
Social networks are responding
Social networks reacted. One of the answers came from Vasudh Pradhan, who has lived in the US for 10 years.
Vasudha believes that India offers much more depth than short-term visitors usually notice. She is proud of India’s pluralistic society, which has deep multicultural roots.
“We celebrate differences, not erase them. Diversity like nowhere else: 22 major languages, countless religions, cuisines and festivals,” she wrote.
It is also one of the world’s oldest civilizations with a history of more than 5,000 years, she added.
“You call it chaos… we call it culture with extra features,” she wrote.
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“I love the US, but after 10 years here, I have seen more crime alerts than in my entire life in India. Garbage can be cleaned, but safety is priceless,” she added.
Various other Indian Instagram users also responded.
“Just so you know, India is not only Hindu but also has all seasons,” wrote one.
“You only saw temples; there are mosques, churches, gurudwaras and jinalayas,” wrote another.
“A bit off about the weather but you might only experience southern weather which I agree is hot. But try the Himalayan regions, we have different seasons,” chimed in another.
Another user commented, “I’m sure you can’t call it India if you haven’t visited all the places. Try Kerala, North Eastern states etc. You’ll definitely have different opinions later.”
