After Vietnam Airport Dance Row, X User Defends Indian Tourists By Sharing Roman Man Playing Djembe Inside Metro; Internet Reacts

A fresh debate around civic sense has emerged online after an X user defended a group of Indian tourists who were recently criticised for dancing inside a Vietnamese airport.

Drawing a comparison with a musician performing inside a metro train in Rome, the user questioned why Indians often face harsher scrutiny for similar acts of public expression. While many users argued that such behaviour was inappropriate for a public transport or transit space, others felt the backlash was excessive.

Adding a new dimension to the conversation, an X user identified as @sarkarstix shared footage from a metro train in Rome. The video showed a man playing a djembe drum loudly inside a crowded metro carriage.

Although some passengers appeared visibly irritated

and largely ignored the performance, the musician continued playing as commuters went about their journeys.

Sharing the clip, the user wrote, “This is inside Rome metro. No one on internet called it “embarrassing” or target the man for the performance. But the moment an Indian starts enjoying, fellow Indians fall over themselves to drag them down and pass lectures on civic sense.”

The post quickly gained traction, attracting a flood of reactions from users who debated whether the comparison was fair.

One user argued that the situations were fundamentally different, writing, “They are in their own country and can do as they please. But your comparison is flawed. A musician performing on the Rome Metro is not the same as organizing a public dance event in a space where it isn’t permitted or appropriate.”

Another commenter criticised the comparison, saying, “And then put this aesthetically done drumming with our boorish garba or bhangra, which desis do… no wonder people feel agitated! 🙂 Sing a Tagore song and people will listen to it…”

Some responses turned highly offensive and inflammatory. One user wrote, “#1 he’s white so superior. #2 it’s actually music #3 he’s not taking a shit on the floor #4 he’s not trying to rape anything that moves in that car #5…… the list goes on and on my curry nigger.”

Another added, “The brutal truth is he actually plays the instrument with rhythm and timing. Can’t say the same about those south Asian orangutans on the tarmac!”

Others maintained that context and location mattered. One user commented, “At least he is not jumping around throwing his hands and legs in an wild manner making chhapris look pretty decent in comparison. The Roman is doing it in Rome. He is a native. Like wise these garba jokers can do it in India and not create nuisance abroad. It looks filthy.”

This is inside Rome metro. No one on internet called it “embarrassing” or target the man for the performance.

But the moment an Indian starts enjoying, fellow Indians fall over themselves to drag them down and pass lectures on civic sense. pic.twitter.com/2EG1kRgXVx

— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) May 29, 2026

A separate comment echoed a similar view, stating, “He is an idiot. And so are the uncultured idiots that behave in a similar manner. One of them might be native to the land and not subject to deportation. The other may be subject to being thrown back onto the boat. What is so hard to understand about that?”

Several users also criticised the metro performance itself. One person wrote, “This is still embarrassing, playing djembe in a closed space at high decibel levels. i see only people much resigned, looking at their expression.Why can’t the guy play in open air ? He may get some cents from the onlookers.”

Another user focused on the difference between performance and social dancing, saying, “This is where you need to acquire critical thinking skills. This performer has acquired certain skill. People are enjoying it. There is no skill in bunch of gujjus dancing in circles protruding their bellies and displaying their culture in uncouth mannerisms.”