Woman Claims Taj Delhi Restaurant Asked Her Not to Sit Cross-Legged, Video Sparks Debate Online
Woman Claims Taj Delhi Restaurant Asked Her Not to Sit Cross-Legged, Video Sparks Debate Online
Incident at House of Ming draws mixed reactions on social media
A video shared by Shradha Sharma, founder of a media platform, has gone viral after she alleged that staff at the Taj Hotel’s House of Ming restaurant in New Delhi asked her not to sit cross-legged while dining.
In the video, Sharma expresses shock and disappointment, claiming that a restaurant manager approached her mid-meal and told her to change her sitting posture because it was making other guests “uncomfortable.” She questioned why a paying customer should be told how to sit, saying, “A common man who earns his money and comes to Taj with dignity is still humiliated. Is it my fault that I sat in a simple Padmasana style?”
Public Reactions: Classism or Etiquette?
The video has sparked a widespread online debate:
- Support for Sharma: Many users criticised the hotel, calling its conduct elitist and unnecessary. They argued that comfort and dignity of guests should be prioritised over rigid norms. Some described the attitude as “classist,” saying that even after paying high prices, guests are told how to sit and behave.
- Support for the Hotel: Others defended Taj, stating that fine dining venues follow certain decorum and etiquette. They argued that sitting cross-legged on a chair in a formal dining setting may be considered inappropriate, just as one wouldn’t squat on the floor in a restaurant.
- Sarcasm & Cultural Commentary: Some social media users responded with sarcasm, saying that soon hotels might require rituals before meals. Others pointed out that while such posture is natural at home or on the floor, restaurants — especially luxury ones — operate under agreed social norms.
The Taj Hotel has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate widely, reopening conversations about class, tradition, personal comfort, and public etiquette in elite spaces.
