Indian family’s behavior on Finland train sparks clash over cultural norms

Traveling to foreign countries often reveals stark cultural differences; behaviors considered normal in one place can appear unconventional or even inappropriate in another. This was the case on a Finland train when an NRI got annoyed by a ‘loud’ Indian family on an otherwise quiet train.


A user, Gokul Sridhar(@gokul), shared a tweet about his experience in a train compartment which he shared with people including an Indian family. Gokul described the carriage as "extremely quiet" until the family began speaking loudly in Hindi and leaving their cabin doors open. He expressed his frustration, remarking that Indians often lack "civic sense."

He posted, “I'm on a train from Lapland to Helsinki and there's one family in the otherwise ULTRA QUIET carriage that's being very loud, talking to someone over a video call. In Hindi. With their cabin doors open. We REALLY don't get civic sense, do we?” He further added that ironically this incident happened right when he was watching a video that explained that talking loudly in trains is frowned upon in Japan as it is considered bad manners.

If Sridhar thought that he had to bear the family only for the duration of the train, he was wrong. He updated in the comment section of his post that he somehow ended up in the same restaurant as the family who were again talking to someone loudly and that too without headphones. An X user advised Sridhar, “Easier to stop by and request them to close the door and lower their voice?” To which he retorts, “Yup I'm gonna do that but there shouldn't even be a need for this, is my point.”

The post has since received more than 12k views and the comment section has divided reaction to this. A user sharing his own experience said, “Same in Manc. I'm on a train to London on the quiet coach trying to get some sleep. Guess who's talking on their phone loudly in the QUIET COACH”

However, some sympathetic users asked Sridhar to tell them instead of complaining about them on social media. One user said, “And you chose to post on X rather than educating them to be quiet. Might be their first time on foreign land and out of excitement.. as a concerned Indian you must have told them the etiquettes politely.. posting on X will not improve the situation.”

The incident reignited discussions about public behavior and cultural differences, as it highlighted the challenges of navigating diverse social norms in shared spaces. Some argue that cultural awareness and sensitivity are essential to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, especially in multicultural environments. The clash on the Finland train serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting local customs and behaviors, while also fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance. This incident underscores the need for travelers to be mindful of their actions and consider how they may be perceived by others in different cultural contexts, promoting harmony and understanding.

This is not the first time, even in the past there have been instances, where social media posts have raised eyebrows on such instances, where people forget civic sense. What do you think of such incidents? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

Culture plays a vital role in shaping individuals, communities, and societies. It reflects the values, beliefs, traditions, and practices that define a group of people, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. Culture preserves history and heritage, passing knowledge, art, and customs from one generation to the next, ensuring continuity and connection to the past. It promotes social harmony by encouraging shared values, mutual respect, and inclusivity, enabling diverse groups to coexist peacefully.

Moreover, culture serves as a bridge, connecting people across different backgrounds and fostering empathy and understanding in a globalized world. It provides a lens through which individuals view and interpret their surroundings, shaping perceptions and interactions. Ultimately, respecting and embracing cultural diversity enriches our experiences, broadens perspectives, and helps build a more cohesive and compassionate society.