"So it is worth it to have clothes that you cook in"
A US Indian content creator posted a video on “how to not smell like curry”, leaving netizens divided.
San Francisco-based Shivee Chauhan shared the steps she takes so that her clothes do not smell like the Indian food she cooks at home.
In an Instagram video, she said: “I like my Indian food. But I also hate going out smelling like Indian food.”
Shivee revealed that she has dedicated “cooking clothes” when making food and that after returning home, she immediately changes out of her work clothes.
She said: “The smell of the onion, garlic and spices really sticks to the clothes that you’re wearing.
“So it is worth it to have clothes that you cook in and always, always change out of office clothes as soon as you come back home.
“I also change my clothes before going out so that they don’t have that lingering smell of cooking.”
The content creator also warned viewers against wearing jackets near the kitchen, adding:
“If the smell sticks to your jacket, it’s just not going to go away till you dry clean your jackets. And even then, it might not.”
She suggested keeping jackets in wardrobes with the doors shut during cooking to ensure they don’t smell of food.
The video received over 7.8 million views and triggered a wave of comments.
Some appreciated Shivee for her tips while others criticised her for reinforcing the racial stereotype that Indian people smell of curry.
One said: “I think this is a white people concept.”
Another asked: “Have you ever tried going back to India?”
Some people even posted comments with racial undertones as one wrote:
“First hygienic Indian?”
Another posted: “They’re evolving!”
A comment read: “Don’t deport this one.”
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Many came to Shivee’s defence as one wrote:
“When you live in the US or Canada and cook Indian food or dishes with spices and onions, you may notice that the scent tends to linger more, unlike in India where it doesn’t stick as much to clothes.
“This isn’t about ‘whitewashing’ but rather dealing with the persistent after-smell of onions.”
“No matter how much perfume you use, the scent can be hard to eliminate.
“Unfortunately, some people from other racial groups may stereotype us because of this, making remarks about how our clothes and homes smell.
“However, it’s not about them – it’s about you not wanting to carry that scent.
“The smell sticking to clothes can be a significant issue, and if the aroma was pleasant, we probably wouldn’t go to such lengths to manage it.
“I don’t know why people are hating on the video; these are useful tips.
“If you’re not living in the country or haven’t experienced people mentioning this, it’s not her fault. This is a major thing that people deal with, and my family and I use these tips too.”
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