A Lithuanian woman living in India has gone viral on social media after rejecting common Western stereotypes about cleanliness in India and praised everyday habits she says are often overlooked abroad. In an Instagram post that has received more than 600,000 views, she said one thing she particularly admires in India is the importance people give to personal cleanliness and hygiene. “In India, I see people taking personal hygiene seriously, and honestly, I think it's a very good habit. It makes you feel better and shows respect to people around you, too,” she wrote.
The woman said many Europeans wrongly assume people in Indian villages and smaller towns live “simple” lives, but after spending years in India, she believes the country still protects several social values that are disappearing in the West.
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“I know this may be controversial, but after living in India for years, I noticed there are actually quite a few things Western countries could learn from Indian culture,” she wrote in the caption.
“Many people from Europe visit villages or smaller towns in India and think people are ‘simple’. But honestly, some of the values I found here are something we are slowly losing in the West.”
“Many people from Europe visit villages or smaller towns in India and think people are ‘simple’. But honestly, some of the values I found here are something we are slowly losing in the West,” she said.
She then listed five things she feels Western countries could learn from India.
“If somebody comes to your home, you offer food, tea, and make them comfortable. It's considered basic manners. In Lithuania, we also have something similar, but in India, it's really on another level,” she wrote.
According to her, hospitality in India feels more personal and emotional compared to the more formal culture she has seen elsewhere.
“Nowadays so many people struggle with loneliness and I think losing this sense of community is one of the reasons,” she noted.
She observed that friends, families and neighbours in India often step in to help each other naturally, something she feels is fading in parts of Europe.
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For her, meals in India are not just about eating quickly but also about spending time together as a family.
“In India, I see people taking personal hygiene seriously, and honestly, I think it's a very good habit. It makes you feel better and shows respect to people around you, too,” she wrote.
She added that regular bathing and wearing fresh clothes are common habits she noticed during her stay.
“People don't need a special reason to enjoy life. There is a lightness to it. Sometimes I feel in Europe we have become so serious that we forgot how to simply enjoy things,” she noted.
Even while praising Indian culture, she clarified that every country has positives and negatives.
“Of course, every country has good and bad sides. These are just some things I personally learned from India,” she added.
Social media users react
The post quickly gained attention online, with users from both India and abroad joining the discussion in the comments section.
“Most important things... sharing is caring,” one user wrote.
“We are not losing these values slowly, we are losing them fast,” another commented.
“You are beautiful... Thanks for highlighting what is second nature to us, but often fail to notice,” a third user said.
The woman said many Europeans wrongly assume people in Indian villages and smaller towns live “simple” lives, but after spending years in India, she believes the country still protects several social values that are disappearing in the West.
Also Read: Forget AC, scientists create salt & water cooling system that works without electricity, keeps temperature near fridge levels for 15 hours
“I know this may be controversial, but after living in India for years, I noticed there are actually quite a few things Western countries could learn from Indian culture,” she wrote in the caption.
“Many people from Europe visit villages or smaller towns in India and think people are ‘simple’. But honestly, some of the values I found here are something we are slowly losing in the West.”
‘Some values are slowly disappearing in the West’
The Lithuanian woman said many travellers from Europe visit smaller Indian towns and villages and often judge people too quickly. According to her, the deeper cultural values visible in daily Indian life are becoming rare in several Western societies.“Many people from Europe visit villages or smaller towns in India and think people are ‘simple’. But honestly, some of the values I found here are something we are slowly losing in the West,” she said.
She then listed five things she feels Western countries could learn from India.
Hospitality that goes beyond formality
One of the first things she highlighted was Indian hospitality. Referring to the idea of “Atithi Devo Bhava”, she said guests in India are treated with exceptional warmth and care.“If somebody comes to your home, you offer food, tea, and make them comfortable. It's considered basic manners. In Lithuania, we also have something similar, but in India, it's really on another level,” she wrote.
According to her, hospitality in India feels more personal and emotional compared to the more formal culture she has seen elsewhere.
Sense of community still survives
The woman also pointed to loneliness as a growing issue in Western countries. She said India still preserves a strong sense of community where neighbours know each other and people remain connected in daily life.“Nowadays so many people struggle with loneliness and I think losing this sense of community is one of the reasons,” she noted.
She observed that friends, families and neighbours in India often step in to help each other naturally, something she feels is fading in parts of Europe.
Food is treated with respect
Another point she raised was the importance of food and home cooking in Indian households. She said families in India continue to value freshly cooked meals and eating together, unlike the fast-paced eating culture becoming common in many Western countries.Also Read: China develops fibre that is 10 times stronger than steel, but thinner than hair, can pull coach carrying 54 adults
For her, meals in India are not just about eating quickly but also about spending time together as a family.
Cleanliness and personal hygiene
The Lithuanian woman also challenged stereotypes often associated with India. She said people in India generally take personal hygiene seriously and treat cleanliness as part of self-respect.“In India, I see people taking personal hygiene seriously, and honestly, I think it's a very good habit. It makes you feel better and shows respect to people around you, too,” she wrote.
She added that regular bathing and wearing fresh clothes are common habits she noticed during her stay.
Celebrating life without a reason
Finally, she spoke about what she called the “lightness” of Indian life. From festivals and music to dance and gatherings, she said Indians often celebrate happiness without waiting for a major occasion.“People don't need a special reason to enjoy life. There is a lightness to it. Sometimes I feel in Europe we have become so serious that we forgot how to simply enjoy things,” she noted.
Even while praising Indian culture, she clarified that every country has positives and negatives.
“Of course, every country has good and bad sides. These are just some things I personally learned from India,” she added.
Social media users react
The post quickly gained attention online, with users from both India and abroad joining the discussion in the comments section.“Most important things... sharing is caring,” one user wrote.
“We are not losing these values slowly, we are losing them fast,” another commented.
“You are beautiful... Thanks for highlighting what is second nature to us, but often fail to notice,” a third user said.
