A mother of two from the United States, Anna Haakenson, has been capturing attention online after sharing what she learned during a two-and-a-half-month stay in India with her family. A seasoned traveller, Anna said that everyday life in India surprised her in ways both big and small, whether it was how people communicate on the roads, how food is seasoned, or how openly strangers interact with one another.
On Instagram, she summed up her experience with a mix of humour and honesty. "America: a honk means someone’s about to lose their mind. India: a honk means, ‘Hi, I’m here, look out, thanks.’ Food: America: ‘spicy’ = mild heat. India: ‘spicy’ = your digestive system is filing a complaint," she said.
"People: America: people pretend you don’t exist. India: people will absolutely ask where you’re from, where you’re going, and why. Trash: America: trash is placed in trash cans. India: trash goes wherever the nearest person decides.”
Her observations extended beyond day-to-day quirks. She noted that while driving in the US usually involves sticking to clear rules, India’s roads operate on a rhythm that only locals truly understand, a kind of “controlled chaos” that somehow works. When it came to weather, she found America’s four neat seasons quite different from India’s cycle of heat, monsoon, and what she jokingly called an “extra surprise heat” period.
Religion, too, stood out to her. Back home, she said, faith is often practised quietly and privately, with churches forming the centre of community life. In India, temples are woven into the landscape, and festivals spill joyously into entire neighbourhoods and cities.
Affordability was another stark contrast. Anna pointed out that in the US, everyday expenses add up quickly, whereas in India, she found nearly everything far more budget-friendly. And the biggest cultural difference she noticed was in family life. While Americans generally live in nuclear households, she was struck by how common and comforting it is in India to see several generations living under the same roof.
Her post has since gone viral, sparking lively conversations among viewers who related to, agreed with, or even challenged her comparisons.
A user wrote, “For weather you should totally visit Northeastern region, it's kind of cool here.”
Another user commented, “People socialising and having fun, which I find it difficult in the states.”
A third person wrote, “I and many other foreigners would choose to live in India but for the risk of getting sick from air pollution food poisoning or vector borne diseases.”
A fourth individual commented, “I've lived in India for a while but grew up in the USA . Now I live fully in Malaysia with my husband. Malaysia is an interesting mix of both cultures. You should come here for a while and see it.”