Last Updated on March 9, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
From eating with hands to living with in-laws, Kristen Fischer shares cultural differences between India and the US that might surprise many.
March 9, 2025: A US woman living in Delhi, Kristen Fischer, recently shared a list of eight common Indian habits that might make Americans feel uncomfortable. Taking to Instagram, she highlighted daily customs in India that are deeply ingrained in Indian culture but are unfamiliar or even unsettling for many in the United States.
Among the key differences, she mentioned the use of a jet spray instead of toilet paper, sharing home slippers, and the habit of eating with hands. Her post, which has garnered over 800,000 views, sparked a lively debate on cultural contrasts between the two countries.
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8 Indian Habits That Americans May Find Uncomfortable:
- Jet Spray Instead of Toilet Paper – Many Americans find it unsettling to use a water jet spray in the toilet instead of toilet paper.
- Sharing Slippers – In Indian households, it’s common to offer guests shared chappals, which might be off-putting for Americans, who prefer personal footwear.
- Drinking from Shared Bottles – While Indians commonly share water bottles, Americans generally avoid drinking from the same bottle due to hygiene concerns.
- Sharing Food at Restaurants – In India, people often order dishes for the whole table, whereas Americans prefer individual portions and may not be comfortable with the idea of sharing meals.
- Eating with Hands – A deeply rooted Indian practice, eating with hands is less common in the US, where utensils are preferred to avoid getting messy.
- No Car Seats for Kids – In India, it’s common to carry children on laps while driving, but Americans strictly follow child safety laws that mandate car seats and harnesses.
- Co-Sleeping with Children – In India, many children sleep with their parents, while in the US, kids usually have separate rooms from an early age.
- Living with In-Laws – Unlike the US, where living independently after marriage is the norm, joint family living is common in India.
Social Media Reactions:
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Fischer’s video received mixed responses, with some users defending Indian traditions and others finding the differences amusing.
- One user wrote: “Both India and the USA have unique cultures, each with its own strengths. The best culture depends on personal values and perspectives.”
- Another commented: “At the end of the day, it’s all about what you are used to. India and the US are just different, not better or worse!”
The discussion sparked by Fischer’s post highlights how cultural norms differ across the world, and how what seems unusual to one culture is perfectly normal in another.
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#IndiaVsUSA, #CulturalDifferences, #IndianHabits, #KristenFischer, #SocialMediaDebate, #CulturalContrast, #EatingWithHands, #FamilyTraditions,
