Delhi man stunned as Australian couple gives ‘racist compliment’: ‘You smell good, unlike other Indians’
A Delhi man was stunned when an Australian couple complimented his smell, but added that other Indians smelled bad.
A Delhi man was left perplexed after a strange encounter with an Australian couple at Connaught Place. According to his post on Reddit, he was approached by the tourists, who were looking for directions to Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

(Also read: UK man advises tourists to take Delhi Metro to avoid getting ‘scammed’ by rickshaw drivers)
While assisting them, he was taken aback when the man in the couple complimented him on his “good smell.” However, the remark quickly turned awkward when they went on to say that smelling good was uncommon among Indians. The tourists even referenced online stereotypes about Indians being smelly, leaving the Redditor unsure of how to react.
The bizarre compliment
Detailing the incident, the Redditor, who goes by the username ‘southdelhi-snob,’ wrote, “I was in Connaught Place a few days ago when I bumped into an Australian couple trying to find their way to Terminal 3 of IGI Airport. They asked me for directions, so I guided them to the metro that goes to New Delhi (it was the next station from Rajiv Chowk) and told them to take the Airport Express Metro, in the Orange Line from there. While we were at the station, the man commented that I smelled really good—unlike every other Indian they had met. He went on to say that the internet was right about Indians being smelly, and the woman nodded in agreement.”
The man shared that he was momentarily stunned, torn between responding to the comment or ignoring it. “I was taken aback and couldn’t decide whether to thank him or defend my country. In the end, I did neither. I simply told them to take the Orange Line from New Delhi Metro Station and went on my way. It was a really weird interaction—while I was complimented, my fellow countrymen were subjected to a racist remark.,” he wrote.
Check out the post here:
Social media reacts
The post quickly gained traction on Reddit, with users expressing their outrage over the tourists’ insensitive remark.
One user commented, “That’s not a compliment, it’s a blatant racist stereotype. You handled it well by just walking away.” Another added, “Imagine going to a different country and making such sweeping statements. The audacity!”
Some were amused by the bizarre nature of the interaction. “They really thought they were being nice? That’s insane,” one user quipped. Another sarcastically wrote, “Wow, what a ‘lovely’ way to talk to someone who just helped you.”
(Also read: Video: Brutal brawl erupts at South Delhi bar, glass shattered on man’s head)
A few users, however, noted that the Redditor could have called them out. “You should have told them how offensive their comment was. People need to be told when they’re being ignorant,” one person remarked.
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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