With a diverse range of cultures, languages, and traditions, which can be incredibly enriching, India has much to offer visitors with a unique and unforgettable experience. The country’s delectable food, exotic scenery and cheap cost of living are also among the reasons why foreigners love visiting India every year, while some even prefer to settle down. At a time when several Indians are travelling abroad to study and work, a Frenchman has defied the norms, calling India his “home" after residing in the country for the past two decades.
Jean-Baptiste, who came to India in 2002 as a student at Delhi’s JNU, has been living in Mumbai for 21 years. In a YouTube video, he opened up about his journey in the country, sharing everything that he has experienced and why he fell in love with India. Jean-Baptiste also highlighted the differences between India and France and the people here. “You never feel lonely in India, and people are gentle. They don’t have Western egos and can become friends very easily," the Frenchman says.
Jean-Baptiste began by recalling how he started adopting small Indian habits of nodding his head to respond, learning basic words like “Chalo, Acha, and Thik Hai." He also opened up about making his first friends at JNU, where he learned about the warmth of friendships in Indian culture.
“The Western and Indian cultures have a lot of common points like that families are still very important. I visit my family in France, and they too come to meet me here. It’s not that difficult, as Indians are still very linked to their families, and so are we in France. We still sit together, share meals, and do other things," he said while drawing similarities between Indian and French culture. He also spoke about how he found Indian people “warm and emotional."
Jean, while explaining the reason why he prefers India over France, said, “Things are changing in India, but at a slower pace. They learn from their mistakes, go slowly, and try to do things," further adding that he has had “peace of mind" with gentler people with lesser egos, unlike that in the West. Sharing ideas on the uncommon places to visit in India and to have the best experience, especially for foreigners, the Frenchman concluded by revealing how he has changed.
“When I see some confrontation or any dispute, I avoid such a situation, the fight. I came here to live peacefully and not like a Frenchman," Jean-Baptiste shared.
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