I know the feeling of being unwelcome. It's the most crushing thing in the world, and this combined with an idle search has led me to consider some Indian reactions to the apparent 'No Indians' policy of Gokarna beach. At the time not much reaction is visible, the lodges make excuses and it's only afterwards that the policy is clear; "No room for Indians eh". Tripadvisor, after some internal doubt over whether this is really one word, appears to be a great source for frustrated reactions. The largest (and most welcoming to Indians) lodge on the beach has a presence on this website, simply browse the 'terrible' reviews. This lodge was the base of the Indian group which made such wonderful small talk with the Swiss ladies, as described in table seats seven. Some of the reviews pick out the apparently discriminatory policy:
Before diving into these complaints its worth noting that the majority of the bad reviews, even among Indian tourists, are for the offensively lazy staff and poor cleanliness. As a traveller in India you generally become accustomed to quite low standards, lower than middle class Indian families would accept at least. New travellers, especially Americans, are shocked by what they find. Myself I have become tolerant of holes in rooms, dirty sheets, ants, cockroaches, snakes, rats and so on. Even Europeans are a bit shocked by this place though, which has clearly relied on it's positioning as the first hotel on the beach. As far as food goes, many high quality restaurants in South India are pure vegetarian, while restaurants serving foreigners cater to all tastes where possible. This means they include meat dishes (a kitchen which handles meat is considered dirty by some Indians), and fall foul of the saying trying to be a jack of all culinary trades. One noteworthy reviewer from the United States complained, mid list, about the cow feces on the beach. If ever when there was a welcome to India moment, it's the presence of cows.
So for tackling the experiences of the customers who picked up on the bias, what did they find. For one a complaint that they were refused a table. The excuse was that 'the Russians are coming', because the lodges can never say you are not welcome directly. The man suggests that this is because the foreigners pay a good tip and that the bias is as a result of foreigners money, and that the policy is racist. This is an interesting reaction, that because he was willing to tip he should be welcome (entitled is a loaded word). In this case he could simply be arguing that because he was as equally willing to pay he should be equally welcome. But it is in danger of supporting the view that money gives you the right to be somewhere, not that this is specifically Indian, think George Orwell on poverty in 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'. There are doubts, as I and many other international travellers have never tipped on Gokarna beach. But the reviewer might be correct about the atmosphere at the restaurant. An Australian reviewer has also stated that customers are just seen with dollar signs above their heads, and that they felt the atmosphere unpleasant. In the end part of the story is missing, 'travelled with friends' doesn't mention the gender of the friends, but lets assume they were men.
Next a complaint which gets straight to the point, how would people feel if treated like this in their own country. Well, instead I would suggest that if I went to a restaurant that catered almost exclusively for Chinese diaspora and behaved insensibly of their cultural rules I might not be so welcome, even if nothing was said. In this case the pressure is social, and unspoken. But this complainant is smart, he uses words outside my normal vocabulary. He hits the nail on the head, why don't they just write a sign which says 'no seats for Indians' to save the time. Because you can't say it, openly. When questioned the restaurant staff 'shamelessly' state that the tables are reserved for foreigners.
Three disappointed Indian reviewers notable for their expectation of higher standards. Clearly if you've scrambled to raise yourself in the money hierarchy you don't want to be thrown back into the dirt for the sense of adventure. I'm rather used to dirt, torn mosquito nets, and unreliable power; but it was enough to drive one of these groups away entirely. Indian tourists generally want to eat North Indian food, where as the restaurants on Om Beach have only a token selection of this range, often outnumbered by Israeli dishes. I have heard tell from an Indian friend that on bus trips around Europe Indian tourists will be followed by a minivan carrying an Indian chef and supplies, now that is adventurous. Another review complaining about the cleanliness of the rooms, but including the key line about refusal of service. I have to admit it looks pretty poor to accept people renting cottages and then refuse them in your restaurant.
But these are only the most negative reviews, many Indian tourists rate the resort more highly. At least 3 times as many Indian tourists rate the resort at Average, generally restrained by the poor standards of cleanliness and high prices. There are some factors to put this number in perspective, the positive reviewers have arrived off season when the number of foreign tourists is very low, and they are paying higher rates. In some cases 5 times what foreigners pay mid-season further down the beach. This Hotel is known for charging higher rates, but is also justified using the duration of stay rule, see Rishikesh pricing last year. One reviewer noted that foreigners were charged lower prices on account of staying at least 1 week. Indian tourists often spend one or two nights at a Hotel, and almost always including a Sunday.
So Indian reviewers had different experiences. But at least one of the positive (if average can be considered so) reviews was for a visit in January, peak season for the beach. Those rejected have perceived this attack as racist, but is it a quick assessment of the make up of the group and their potential behaviour. Isn't every man a potential pest. I've met some quite assertive Swedish women... but not close. If I am rejected, what in my behaviour makes me unwelcome. Am I so certain I deviate from the stereotype which has led to this rule. Am I going to be pressuring Swiss girls to drink after playing Hitlers apologist.
"Disaster if you are Indian"
"Good for few bad for some, If you are an Indian you are not Welcome!!!"
"so arrogant they denied to serve us""Good for few bad for some, If you are an Indian you are not Welcome!!!"
Before diving into these complaints its worth noting that the majority of the bad reviews, even among Indian tourists, are for the offensively lazy staff and poor cleanliness. As a traveller in India you generally become accustomed to quite low standards, lower than middle class Indian families would accept at least. New travellers, especially Americans, are shocked by what they find. Myself I have become tolerant of holes in rooms, dirty sheets, ants, cockroaches, snakes, rats and so on. Even Europeans are a bit shocked by this place though, which has clearly relied on it's positioning as the first hotel on the beach. As far as food goes, many high quality restaurants in South India are pure vegetarian, while restaurants serving foreigners cater to all tastes where possible. This means they include meat dishes (a kitchen which handles meat is considered dirty by some Indians), and fall foul of the saying trying to be a jack of all culinary trades. One noteworthy reviewer from the United States complained, mid list, about the cow feces on the beach. If ever when there was a welcome to India moment, it's the presence of cows.
So for tackling the experiences of the customers who picked up on the bias, what did they find. For one a complaint that they were refused a table. The excuse was that 'the Russians are coming', because the lodges can never say you are not welcome directly. The man suggests that this is because the foreigners pay a good tip and that the bias is as a result of foreigners money, and that the policy is racist. This is an interesting reaction, that because he was willing to tip he should be welcome (entitled is a loaded word). In this case he could simply be arguing that because he was as equally willing to pay he should be equally welcome. But it is in danger of supporting the view that money gives you the right to be somewhere, not that this is specifically Indian, think George Orwell on poverty in 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'. There are doubts, as I and many other international travellers have never tipped on Gokarna beach. But the reviewer might be correct about the atmosphere at the restaurant. An Australian reviewer has also stated that customers are just seen with dollar signs above their heads, and that they felt the atmosphere unpleasant. In the end part of the story is missing, 'travelled with friends' doesn't mention the gender of the friends, but lets assume they were men.
Next a complaint which gets straight to the point, how would people feel if treated like this in their own country. Well, instead I would suggest that if I went to a restaurant that catered almost exclusively for Chinese diaspora and behaved insensibly of their cultural rules I might not be so welcome, even if nothing was said. In this case the pressure is social, and unspoken. But this complainant is smart, he uses words outside my normal vocabulary. He hits the nail on the head, why don't they just write a sign which says 'no seats for Indians' to save the time. Because you can't say it, openly. When questioned the restaurant staff 'shamelessly' state that the tables are reserved for foreigners.
Three disappointed Indian reviewers notable for their expectation of higher standards. Clearly if you've scrambled to raise yourself in the money hierarchy you don't want to be thrown back into the dirt for the sense of adventure. I'm rather used to dirt, torn mosquito nets, and unreliable power; but it was enough to drive one of these groups away entirely. Indian tourists generally want to eat North Indian food, where as the restaurants on Om Beach have only a token selection of this range, often outnumbered by Israeli dishes. I have heard tell from an Indian friend that on bus trips around Europe Indian tourists will be followed by a minivan carrying an Indian chef and supplies, now that is adventurous. Another review complaining about the cleanliness of the rooms, but including the key line about refusal of service. I have to admit it looks pretty poor to accept people renting cottages and then refuse them in your restaurant.
The booking issue is complex. An Indian group complained that their booking, made a week before, did not exist on arrival. Hotel staff said they had no contact with the group, but this isn't the full story. About the same time a European tourist had the same experience, as there is one of each review I wouldn't so far suggest denying bookings on arrival constitutes a policy. On a similar subject a reviewer has proved his fine intellect with this accusation of inconsistency. It parallels one of my favourite complaints, found on an online forum to Indian Railways, shortened to the following "The current reservation counter would not sell me an advance reservation".
"i had been calling them for the past one month that i need an advance reservation specially during the Independence Day Week holiday. they asked me to book 1 week in advance and before that they were not willing to take the reservation. just one week before when i called they informed that all rooms have been booked... This hotel's management does not know how to keep its words."
But these are only the most negative reviews, many Indian tourists rate the resort more highly. At least 3 times as many Indian tourists rate the resort at Average, generally restrained by the poor standards of cleanliness and high prices. There are some factors to put this number in perspective, the positive reviewers have arrived off season when the number of foreign tourists is very low, and they are paying higher rates. In some cases 5 times what foreigners pay mid-season further down the beach. This Hotel is known for charging higher rates, but is also justified using the duration of stay rule, see Rishikesh pricing last year. One reviewer noted that foreigners were charged lower prices on account of staying at least 1 week. Indian tourists often spend one or two nights at a Hotel, and almost always including a Sunday.
So Indian reviewers had different experiences. But at least one of the positive (if average can be considered so) reviews was for a visit in January, peak season for the beach. Those rejected have perceived this attack as racist, but is it a quick assessment of the make up of the group and their potential behaviour. Isn't every man a potential pest. I've met some quite assertive Swedish women... but not close. If I am rejected, what in my behaviour makes me unwelcome. Am I so certain I deviate from the stereotype which has led to this rule. Am I going to be pressuring Swiss girls to drink after playing Hitlers apologist.
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