A hotel in Zurich, Switzerland, has become the centre of an online debate after a Delhi-based traveller shared a post on social media describing an uncomfortable incident during breakfast hours. The man claimed to have witnessed an Indian family packing fruits, yoghurt, and boiled eggs into empty buckets from the hotel’s breakfast buffet — despite a clear sign prohibiting guests from taking food outside the dining area.
The incident has triggered widespread discussion about etiquette, travel behaviour, and cultural stereotypes, with netizens divided over who was in the wrong.
What Happened at the Zurich Hotel
According to the post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the traveller said:
“It was clearly mentioned at the entrance of the breakfast area not to pack anything or take food beyond this point! Literally, everyone was surprised and shocked to see this behaviour.”
The man further expressed disappointment, writing that the family “must have paid a bomb of money” for their Switzerland trip, yet “showed why we are being hated across the globe.” His remarks immediately went viral, amassing thousands of reactions and sparking intense debate.
Mixed Reactions Online
The post divided social media users into two camps — those condemning the act as disrespectful and others defending it as common travel behaviour.
One user commented, “They are doing this because they don’t care about India’s image, only personal benefit.” Another wrote, “These are the kind of people who bring shame to all of us. You should have told them that’s not appropriate behaviour.”
However, several users defended the family, saying travellers worldwide often take food from buffets. “Exaggerating! People of all creeds take breakfast food to their rooms,” one said. Another added, “Please don’t be shocked! Everyone does this here — not just Indians.”
Some even argued that hotels in India allow guests to take food for convenience, noting cultural differences in hospitality expectations.
A Second Embarrassing Incident in Zurich
Following the viral post, another traveller recalled a similar experience at the Lindt Chocolate Museum in Zurich. He wrote that during his visit, several Indian tourists — mostly part of group tours — were seen grabbing multiple chocolates from tasting counters despite being told to take only one of each flavour.
“Kids were snatching 5–10 chocolates at once while parents laughed. It was embarrassing,” he shared, adding that he chose not to collect his samples to avoid association.
The post reignited conversations about how tourists represent their countries abroad, emphasizing the need for awareness, cultural sensitivity, and respect for local rules when travelling internationally.
