Doctor’s Viral Post on Swiss Hotel Buffet Note Sparks Debate on Indian Tourist Stereotypes

A simple hotel note in Switzerland has set off a storm of emotions among Indian travellers after a doctor shared his experience online. What seemed like a polite reminder about buffet etiquette turned into a conversation about dignity, stereotypes, and cultural sensitivity in global tourism.

Dr. Arshiet Dhamnaskar remarked that while buffets are often advertised as “unlimited,” the term comes with an unspoken understanding. Guests are meant to enjoy as much as they wish during the meal, not pack it away for later.

“It’s ‘unlimited,’ but not so much that you can hoard it in your bag and live off it,” he said, adding that he fully understood the hotel’s intent behind the policy.

Dr. Arshiet Dhamnaskar was vacationing in Switzerland with his family when he noticed a message tucked behind the door of his hotel room. It read: “Dear Indian tourists, please do not pack buffet items into your purses. If you want, we can give you separately packed food items.”

At first, he thought it was a standard rule about buffet limits, something most travellers understand. But what caught his attention and hurt him was how the message singled out Indian tourists. The doctor shared the note on social media, admitting that while he understood hotel policies, the language felt “unfair and biased.” His post quickly went viral, striking a chord with many Indians abroad.

The post, which has garnered over 300,000 views, sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. Some users criticized the note for reinforcing negative stereotypes about Indian travellers, while others suggested it may have stemmed from recurring instances observed by the hotel.

“The part that truly stung,” he shared, “was that the message could have easily been addressed to all guests. Instead, it singled us out by beginning with the words, ‘Dear Indian tourists.’”

Within hours, the post drew thousands of views and sparked heated debate. Many travellers empathized with Dr. Dhamnaskar, saying they too had faced subtle prejudice while visiting European countries. The idea that all Indian guests needed a reminder about buffet behavior felt demeaning to many.

Others pointed out that the hotel could have easily avoided controversy by addressing the notice to all guests rather than singling out a nationality.

A few users, however, defended the hotel, claiming that such notices arise only after repeated issues.

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)