“Health and hygiene are no longer revered in the UK."
A video of an Indian woman eating with her hands while speaking on the phone during a London Tube journey has sparked a fierce online debate, exposing divisions over culture, etiquette, and public behaviour.
The footage shows the woman sitting beside two male passengers, talking on the phone while eating food from a plate on her lap.
A plastic packet, believed by some to be her food bag, is placed on the seat next to her.
She continues eating and speaking until the end of the clip, seemingly unbothered by her surroundings.
An X user who shared the clip wrote: “So this is the London Tube, the new trend of eating biryani with bare hands is the next sensation.”
The video attracted a wave of criticism. Some users labelled the act unhygienic, inappropriate, or inconsiderate, as one said:
“Health and hygiene are no longer revered in the UK.”
Another commented: “It’s weird enough to eat food like that with your hands. But why do they always play with it between mouthfuls, too?”
A third added: “As an Indian, quite a few of us lack civic sense (same goes for the other South Asians).
“You did the right thing by calling this woman out. To those who are taking umbrage at this post, too bad.”
Others defended the woman, highlighting perceived double standards.
One pointed out: “How do people eat burgers and chips on a train… thought they also used their hands. Same with kebabs, chicken, etc.
“Not sure why you object to a brown woman and not everyone else eating in the same manner.”
Another said: “She’s not bothering you.
“She’s enjoying her food, leave her alone and mind your own business.
“She could have been very hungry and needed food. Don’t mock others. I’ve seen white people eat burgers on the train with their HANDS.”
An individual posting on X added: “I hope she enjoyed it. It looks good. Multi-tasking on the commute, eating and chatting with a friend. Winning.”
So this is london tube the new trend of eating biryani with bare hands is next sensation ??pic.twitter.com/WaxbdvW8Pz
— •J• (@cjy) May 28, 2025
Others noted the discrepancy in public reaction depending on the person involved:
“Plenty of Brits eat chips or sandwiches on trains, no one bats an eye.
“But an Indian woman eating rice with her hand? Suddenly, it’s a crisis.”
“Meanwhile London Tube at night looks like a drug den. Funny how harmless traditions bother people more than actual public safety issues.”
The video also raised ethical concerns about filming strangers in public without consent.
While some online users called for more tolerance and understanding of different cultural practices, others stood by their view that eating a full meal by hand on public transport was inappropriate, regardless of background.
The clip became a flashpoint for wider conversations about multiculturalism, civic norms, and whose behaviour is deemed acceptable in shared public spaces.
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