India Isn't Just Slums and Chaos - Australian Woman Shuts Down Broke Backpacker Mindset
When you close your eyes and think of India, what do you see? For far too many Western tourists, the image is unfairly limited to crowded trains, chaotic markets, slums, and the cliched “eat-pray-poop” horror stories. But this time, an Australian expat living in Mumbai has had enough — and her viral message is forcing everyone to rethink how they “do” India.
Bree Steele, a podcast producer who moved to Mumbai, has sparked a fierce online debate after asking a simple yet piercing question: Why are foreigners so stingy when they come to India? Why do travellers with high-paying jobs back home suddenly transform into extreme penny-pinchers, squeezing every rupee for “authenticity” while showing the country’s grittiest side to the world?
Let’s unpack her points — and the bigger truth behind them.
1. The ‘Authentic Experience’ Myth
Steele’s video cuts straight to the heart of a long-running problem: Western tourists equating “real India” with discomfort and deprivation. Many backpackers proudly share stories of roughing it out in ₹500 hostels, eating only street food for weeks, and enduring 17-hour train rides instead of a quick flight — all in the name of “immersing in local culture.”
But is this authentic for the average Indian traveller? Not always. Middle-class Indians often choose decent mid-range hotels, AC trains, or affordable flights when they can. Many families treat travel as a chance for comfort, good food, and new experiences — not a survival test.
As Bree rightly says, “You don’t have to suffer to come to India. You can eat like a king or queen here.”
2. India Is a Land of Options — If You Want Them
What’s often forgotten is that India is vast, diverse, and layered — there’s something for every taste and budget. Yes, there are budget dorms and backpacker hubs, but there are also dreamy luxury resorts in Rajasthan, tranquil yoga retreats in Kerala, pristine beaches in the Andamans, and breathtaking mountain stays in Himachal.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, India’s luxury travel segment has been growing steadily, with states like Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, and Uttarakhand seeing increased interest in heritage hotels, boutique stays, and experiential travel. The irony? Most of the people booking these aren’t Western backpackers, but local families, honeymooners, and Asian tourists.
So why do so many Western influencers keep showing slums, cows on streets, and unhygienic eateries as the “real deal”?
3. The Harm of Romanticising Poverty
When a foreign traveller flaunts videos of “living like a local” by paying next to nothing for food and stays, it often sends the wrong message. Many Indians online thanked Bree for highlighting how this “cheap travel flex” contributes to stereotypes that India is backward, unsanitary, or only for extreme budget travel.
Besides, haggling aggressively over a few rupees with small vendors — when you earn in dollars or euros — isn’t cultural immersion, it’s just insensitivity. Locals may haggle out of necessity, but a well-off tourist squeezing a poor rickshaw driver for ₹20 is not the same.
As Bree put it, “Culture across India varies, and while there can be luxury in places, there are also good ‘middle range’ hotels. You don’t have to struggle to come to India.”
4. Social Media Rewards Misery — But Should It?
One reason this backpacker mindset persists is because “India struggle stories” often go viral. Reels showing dingy hostels, stomach bugs, and chaotic commutes rack up millions of views. Meanwhile, clips of India’s thriving urban life, luxury train journeys, or peaceful boutique stays barely make it to the algorithm’s top tier.
Ironically, the domestic travel market is booming in the middle and upper segments. A 2023 report by Booking.com showed that 81% of Indian travellers wanted to “splurge on experiences and stays” post-pandemic — a stark contrast to how many Western tourists still see India as a “budget adventure destination.”
5. ‘You Choose What India Means to You’
This debate boils down to one thing: India is notjust poverty, chaos, and struggle. It is also heritage palaces in Jaipur, wellness retreats in Rishikesh, luxury wildlife lodges in Madhya Pradesh, world-class restaurants in Delhi and Mumbai, and stunning beaches that rival the Maldives.
Travellers like Bree are encouraging foreigners to see this bigger picture — and support local businesses beyond the absolute rock-bottom options. It’s not about spending recklessly. It’s about understanding that India is not a prop for your “gritty backpacker” stories.
A Country That Deserves More Than Your Loose ChangeAs more Indians chimed in on Bree’s post, the message was clear: You can choose your India. Want to travel on a shoestring? Sure. But don’t pretend it’s the only “real” way to experience this country.
In her own words, “India is more than slums, crowded trains and food poisoning! Whether you’re a solo traveller, a backpacker, travelling with family or somewhere in between — there is something for you here!”
Maybe it’s time to spend more than just your leftover pennies — and show the world the India that millions here love, live, and proudly share.
Bree Steele, a podcast producer who moved to Mumbai, has sparked a fierce online debate after asking a simple yet piercing question: Why are foreigners so stingy when they come to India? Why do travellers with high-paying jobs back home suddenly transform into extreme penny-pinchers, squeezing every rupee for “authenticity” while showing the country’s grittiest side to the world?
Let’s unpack her points — and the bigger truth behind them.
1. The ‘Authentic Experience’ Myth
But is this authentic for the average Indian traveller? Not always. Middle-class Indians often choose decent mid-range hotels, AC trains, or affordable flights when they can. Many families treat travel as a chance for comfort, good food, and new experiences — not a survival test.
As Bree rightly says, “You don’t have to suffer to come to India. You can eat like a king or queen here.”
2. India Is a Land of Options — If You Want Them
According to the Ministry of Tourism, India’s luxury travel segment has been growing steadily, with states like Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, and Uttarakhand seeing increased interest in heritage hotels, boutique stays, and experiential travel. The irony? Most of the people booking these aren’t Western backpackers, but local families, honeymooners, and Asian tourists.
So why do so many Western influencers keep showing slums, cows on streets, and unhygienic eateries as the “real deal”?
3. The Harm of Romanticising Poverty
Besides, haggling aggressively over a few rupees with small vendors — when you earn in dollars or euros — isn’t cultural immersion, it’s just insensitivity. Locals may haggle out of necessity, but a well-off tourist squeezing a poor rickshaw driver for ₹20 is not the same.
As Bree put it, “Culture across India varies, and while there can be luxury in places, there are also good ‘middle range’ hotels. You don’t have to struggle to come to India.”
4. Social Media Rewards Misery — But Should It?
Ironically, the domestic travel market is booming in the middle and upper segments. A 2023 report by Booking.com showed that 81% of Indian travellers wanted to “splurge on experiences and stays” post-pandemic — a stark contrast to how many Western tourists still see India as a “budget adventure destination.”
5. ‘You Choose What India Means to You’
Travellers like Bree are encouraging foreigners to see this bigger picture — and support local businesses beyond the absolute rock-bottom options. It’s not about spending recklessly. It’s about understanding that India is not a prop for your “gritty backpacker” stories.
A Country That Deserves More Than Your Loose ChangeAs more Indians chimed in on Bree’s post, the message was clear: You can choose your India. Want to travel on a shoestring? Sure. But don’t pretend it’s the only “real” way to experience this country.
In her own words, “India is more than slums, crowded trains and food poisoning! Whether you’re a solo traveller, a backpacker, travelling with family or somewhere in between — there is something for you here!”
Maybe it’s time to spend more than just your leftover pennies — and show the world the India that millions here love, live, and proudly share.
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