A Bengaluru-based YouTube content creator, Ishan Sharma, has sparked a social media debate by comparing hotel hospitality in the US to that in India. The 23-year-old, who boasts over 1.4 million YouTube followers, expressed his frustration with the service he encountered at a Las Vegas hotel.
Sharma detailed his disappointment in a viral post, noting he was charged nearly $15 for a bottle of water after simply requesting a glass. He criticized the lack of assistance with luggage and what he perceived as a lack of empathy from hotel staff. Accustomed to the high standards of service at Indian hotels like the Taj, Sharma found the US experience to be a stark contrast.
“My biggest culture shock – American Hotels. They just don’t get hospitality. Funny how they ask for tips but won’t even give complementary 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 accommodating were missing. I check in at 2am tired from the flight and asked for a glass of water, they say ‘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 :/” wrote Sharma.
My biggest culture shock – American Hotels
They just don’t get hospitality.
Funny how they ask for tips but won’t even give complementary 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… pic.twitter.com/RkB84F69R0
— Ishan Sharma (@Ishansharma7390) August 12, 2024
The post, which has since gone viral, prompted a range of responses. Although Caesar’s Palace eventually upgraded Sharma, many users agreed with his views on American and European hotel hospitality. Influencer Deedy commented, “Agreed, Indian hospitality is a notch above American. They have way less help and charge for everything they can.”
Another user, Sanjay Lazar, 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 spoiled by airlines, hotels, and the like with extras. You pay for everything in the US & their union regulations are so tough, it’s the law to tip in most states (and everyone expects it), Cali, Illinois, Florida & New York states are some of the places where you experience this.”
A user named KP added, “Looks like your first trip to the US given the kind of tweets you’re writing about airports, hotels etc. In the US (and Europe), most people drink tap water. The water here is by and large clean and drinkable unlike India. In India, that is not the case. You will find a clean and packed glass in your room which you can use to drink water from the tap.” To this, others responded that Ishan “asked for a glass of water not a fancy Bisleri, my guy.”