‘You have to pay even to breathe’: Indian woman compares socialising in India, Australia

An Indian woman named Smidha living in Australia has sparked an online conversation about the differences in how people socialize in India and Australia. She shared an Instagram video comparing the expenses involved in spending time with friends in Mumbai compared to Australia. Smidha explained that while in Mumbai, she often found herself spending money even when trying to hang out with friends, whether it was at cafes, restaurants, or shopping malls.

She noted that "somehow every plan either became about a cafe, restaurant, or a mall." In contrast, she said, "here in Australia, I can meet someone at a park, walk by the beach, sit in a library, or just spend an afternoon somewhere without ordering anything."

For Smidha, this difference made her realize that meeting friends used to mean going somewhere where one had to spend money. She recalled her previous thought process back home in India: "Back home, milna hai toh pehle decide karo coffee kahan peena hai" (If you want to meet someone, you first have to decide where to have coffee).

She argued that the issue extends beyond just cafes and restaurants, pointing to the lack of public spaces where people can simply spend time together. She expressed the sentiment in the caption of her video: "Saans lene ke bhi paise lagte hai" (You have to pay even to breathe).

The post triggered a wider discussion about public spaces, urban planning, and socializing habits in Indian cities. Some users agreed with Smidha, pointing out that India lacks enough comfortable and accessible public spaces where people can gather without spending money. They highlighted issues like the lack of lakes, parks, and trees, as well as the extreme heat in the summer, which forces people to prefer indoor spaces.

Others suggested that the hot weather might make long periods of time outdoors uncomfortable, pushing people indoors. The discussion also touched on the impact of changing lifestyles, with some users connecting the issue to fitness and consumer culture, questioning whether India's dependence on cafes and malls has led to forgetting the concept of spending time together for free.