Overview

• Caleb Friesen, a Canadian living in India, posted a video on X and Instagram proposing the 'Polite India Challenge' to encourage basic acts of courtesy in public interactions.
• The challenge includes five specific habits: thanking service workers, using 'excuse me' and 'sorry,' avoiding shouting at workers, respecting queues, and smiling at strangers.
• The video quickly went viral, eliciting a mix of support, criticism, and reflections on the role of politeness in Indian society.
• Some viewers endorsed the initiative, suggesting that parents and teachers should instill these habits early, while others argued patience is a more pressing societal need.
• Critics labeled the challenge as condescending, highlighting broader cultural tensions around civility, social hierarchies, and differing perceptions of public behavior.