Lack of Civic Sense? Social Media Debates Train Passenger’s Foot-on-Tray Photo
Lack of Civic Sense? Social Media Debates Train Passenger’s Foot-on-Tray Photo
A photo shared on social media has reignited the conversation around public etiquette and civic sense in India, after a train passenger was spotted resting her bare foot on a tray table during a journey.
The image, posted on X (formerly Twitter), showed a woman lying across train seats with her foot propped on the tray table—a sight that immediately sparked strong reactions online. The caption with the post read: “The lack of basic civic sense in India is neither a regional issue nor a class issue. It is simply an Indian issue.”
The post quickly went viral, attracting over 900,000 views and a flood of comments, both critical and defensive.
Some users criticized the behavior as unhygienic and inconsiderate. One comment read: “This is exactly why Indians are looked down upon by every other country. Indians have very poor manners and hygiene in public.”
Another echoed this sentiment, saying: “It’s a discipline issue. A lot of people have suddenly gained wealth but haven’t learned etiquette. I’m afraid the IT industry has played a role in this.”
However, others came to the woman’s defense, pointing out the discomfort of long train journeys and limited legroom. One user argued: “If there are empty seats, what’s wrong with stretching out comfortably? It’s hard to sit in cramped seats, even for short journeys.”
Another user added a global perspective, stating: “I saw a white lady do the same on a flight from Philadelphia to Dallas last week—except she had a bag on the console.”
One commenter pushed back against the sweeping generalizations: “Why do you feel such an inferiority complex about being Indian? Not everything needs to be seen as a national flaw.”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about public manners, comfort, and how cultural perceptions influence online outrage. While opinions remain divided, the viral post has once again highlighted how everyday scenes can spark deeper debates about societal behavior and expectations.
