A video showing an Indian man calling out another for speaking loudly on the phone at Abu Dhabi Airport has gone viral, sparking discussions on public behavior and civic sense. The man, Ankush, recorded the video as he vented his frustration about the lack of awareness some people have when using their phones in public spaces.
In the video, a man can be heard talking at high volume on the phone in an airport lounge, despite repeated requests from the bartender to lower his voice. Ankush, who was visibly annoyed by the disturbance, took to Instagram to address what he sees as a broader cultural issue.
“I speak as a fellow Indian,” Ankush began, sharing his thoughts on the lack of civic consciousness in India when it comes to public spaces. “We have zero civic sense,” he continued, pointing out the common habit of speaking on phones loudly, playing YouTube videos on loudspeakers, and generally ignoring the discomfort it causes others. Drawing from his experience living in both the US and South Korea, Ankush compared the awareness around public etiquette in those countries, especially South Korea, where quiet public spaces are the norm.
In his post, Ankush added, “We just take it for granted that everybody else is going to be completely alright with it.” He also criticized the widespread habit of playing videos or taking calls on loudspeaker in public places, calling it “entitlement and insensitivity.”
The post, which asked followers to reflect on the issue, resonated with many. One user commented, “You made the most appropriate observation mate,” while another added, “He’s so loud I can barely hear you.”
So far, the video has received over 153K views and continues to spark conversation online.
Read also: