It is usually a big dream of all Indians to visit the United States of America (USA or U.S.A.) at least once in their lifetime. Considering the Western or specifically American media that most in the metro regions are exposed to, and even a trope propagated by our Indian films, it is not too far-fetched to think.
Many do think of the USA as a land of progress and innovation, a developed country that surely must have everything at a level unlike any other country. However, a recent post about American hospitality raised questions about it and had people commenting how that is one sector where Asia or India perhaps wins among others.
What Did The YouTuber Said?
On August 12th, 2024, an Indian YouTuber called Ishan Sharma posted on his X/Twitter page about how the staff in American hotels was said to be very much without empathy or any understanding of hospitality.
He wrote “My biggest culture shock – American Hotels. They just don’t get hospitality.
Funny how they ask for tips but won’t even give complimentary water.
I stayed at 3 star, 4 star AND today 5 star hotel (Caesar’s Palace) Maybe I’m spoilt with Taj hotels in India.
But basic things like helping with luggage, being accomodating were missing. I checked in at 2 am tired from the flight and asked for a glass of water, they said “It’s $14.99 for a 200ml bottle you can buy it”. And this is a $200 per night hotel! Complete lack of empathy. Unbelievable! Never expected this.”
The second-year electrical engineering student from BITS Pilani in Goa was staying in the iconic Caesar’s Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
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The post certainly struck a very heated debate with some people either defending American hotels or claiming that the YouTuber was not telling the truth to some agreeing with Sharma and how he was correct.
Influencer Nick Gray (@nickgraynews) wrote “Is anyone going to point out the obvious… that you can drink the tap water at American hotels, but you cannot at most in India? So in India the free bottled water is likely mandatory and necessary. Whereas in America the bottled water at a hotel is usually ‘fancy’.”
He further added “I think he is trolling anyway. There is no way that Caesars was charging that amount of money he said for such a small bottle of water” when someone pointed out that the YouTuber asked for a glass of water and not a bottle.
Many used this opportunity to talk about how hospitality in Indian hotels, or even Asian hotels on the large is much better compared to hotels in US and Europe.
User Sanjay Lazar (@sjlazars) wrote “Ishan, America understands hospitality differently! Whether it be planes, hotels, restaurants, ships etc. It’s been so for decades. Their concept is just to provide the basic facilities, unlike in Asia/India where we are spoilt by airlines, hotels, and the like with extras.
You pay for everything in the US and their union regulations are so tough, it’s the law to tip in most states (and everyone expects it), Cali, Illinois, Florida, and New York are some of the places where you experience this.”
User Kashif Ansari (@Perfi_X) also shared the sentiment and commented “Americans come to Asia for hospitality! You will get the best loyalty recognition in SE Asia & India only and it is not limited to Taj. Marriott, ITC, Accor are also there and Hyatt is the best in terms of loyalty recognition.”
User Rohit Ghumare (@ghumare64) wrote “Indian hotels are 1000 times better than European and American hotels. We get extra complimentary services, plus it’s true that outside hotels don’t even provide water bottles daily,” while Deedy (@deedydas) stated, “Agreed, Indian hospitality is a notch above American. They have way less help and charge for everything they can.”
In an interesting turn of events, after the post went viral, the Caesars Palace Hotel gave him a free upgrade.
The YouTuber in an X/Twitter post wrote “Thank you Caesar’s Palace for the upgrade. I’m glad you heard me. Really excited for the next few days!… Staff was really helpful this time.” He also mentioned that the staff was also helpful this time.
The post also saw a lot of people reacting to it with one user writing “A social media post can have biggest institutions do a little introspection haha,” while another wrote, “This is a great gesture by the hotel!”
Another commented “Ishan, America understands hospitality differently!! Whether it be planes, hotels, restaurants, ships etc It’s been so for decades. Their concept is just to provide the basic facilities, unlike in Asia / India where we are spoilt by Airlines hotels and the like with extras.”
Another person commented, “Hospitality standards across most developed places in Asia are much better than the US.”
What do you think, do Indian hotels win in the hospitality sector or not? Let us know in the comments below.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature Image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, NDTV
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Hotels, travel, travel India, indian hotels, American hotels, European hotels, Indian YouTuber, us hotel, Caesars Palace Hotel, Caesars Palace Hotel las vegas, Taj hotels, Taj hotels india
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