Sign in

Indian woman dances Thiruvathirakali inside Costco, sparks debate: ‘Zero civic sense’

An Indian woman’s Thiruvathirakali dance inside a Costco store has sparked a debate over civic sense and public behaviour.

Published on: Aug 31, 2026, 17:29:31 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

An Indian woman’s Thiruvathirakali dance inside a Costco grocery store is drawing attention online, with users discussing public behaviour and civic sense. The video shows her dancing while shopping, prompting people to share their views on whether such cultural expressions belong in public spaces.

Woman performs Kerala dance inside Costco.
Woman performs Kerala dance inside Costco.

The video was originally shared on Instagram, but it has since been circulating on X as well. While reposting the clip on X, the account wrote, "Zero civic sense only brings unnecessary embarrassment to the entire Indian community!"

In the video, a woman can be seen performing Thiruvathira, a traditional folk dance from Kerala, while inside a Costco grocery store. She appears to be practising the dance as she shops.

(Also Read: Bengaluru woman claims live caterpillar in Paris Panini food, founder responds)

The text over the video reads, “When Thiruvathira practice has completely occupied your mind even while shopping.”

Watch the full video below:

Internet debates civic sense and dancing

Several users criticised the woman for dancing inside the store. One person wrote, "Forget about civic sense. This idiot has no respect for the dance. She is doing it with shoes on!"

Another user questioned the criticism, saying, "So many Americans dance in public for TikTok and social media and harass people. Why is it bad when an Indian does it?"

One user said they agreed that such behaviour could reflect poorly on the wider Indian community. "As an Indian, I agree that this kind of behaviour is embarrassing and completely unacceptable. When a country gives people opportunities, jobs and a chance to build a better life, the least we can show in return is basic civic sense and respect for the rules," the user wrote.

The comment added that a few people behaving irresponsibly could create a negative impression of millions of Indians who live and work responsibly around the world.

Another user responded sarcastically, "Just shame her, place her on the ban list, or turn her into an advertisement by putting a placard at your store entrance that says: ‘We entertain the above, but with a fee.’"

However, others defended the woman and questioned whether the dance had actually caused any disruption.

(Also Read: 1 lakh salary in Bengaluru vs Delhi-NCR: Techie explains why ‘same pay’ may not mean same savings)

"What's wrong? Is she disturbing anyone? Every type of person does this!" one user asked.

Another wrote, "Should public places be calm, boring and unexpressive? Why do we expect everything to be homogeneous?"

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Vaishali Kapila
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vaishali Kapila

    Vaishali Kapila is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, where she covers internet culture, viral social media moments, human interest stories and workplace trends. She believes the best stories often come from ordinary experiences and everyday conversations. Through her stories, she aims to help readers understand not just what is trending, but why it matters. Born and brought up in Chandigarh and now based in Delhi, Vaishali has over five years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, she worked as a Sub Editor at NDTV, where she specialised in food and travel writing. Over the years, she has written and edited stories on recipes, nutrition, restaurants, destinations and travel trends, while building expertise in digital storytelling, search-driven journalism and audience-focused content. Today, her work spans a wide range of topics, including consumer issues, lifestyle, workplace trends and stories that reflect everyday life. She enjoys finding fresh angles, speaking with people and adding the context that helps readers make sense of a story. Vaishali holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism with a specialisation in New Media from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. When she is not working, Vaishali enjoys exploring new places, trying local food and documenting her experiences through a food Instagram page she runs with her husband. She also enjoys watching documentaries, learning about space and science, and exploring stories about different cultures and people.Read More

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.