Foreign tourists often share glimpses of India’s many facets, from its warm hospitality and scenic train rides to its bustling cities. But Australian traveler Will Strolls recently captured a moment that struck a deeper chord: a reminder that wisdom and dignity can be found anywhere.
In a now-viral vlog, reshared by the Instagram page india_flipside, Strolls is seen riding an auto rickshaw. But it’s not the tourist who steals the show, it’s the elderly car driver, whose fluent English and thoughtful lyrics have captured the attention of the Internet.
Their conversation begins casually, with the driver asking: “Are you from Australia?” When Strolls answers yes and asks him how he guessed, the driver smiles: “I went to Australia.” He then reveals that he used to work as a chef in Melbourne.
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When Strolls asks if he runs a business in India now, the driver responds in words that have since echoed on the Internet: “I’m not a businessman, I’m a live person who has fun. I’m not a money man. Money is necessary for life, but life is not about money.”
After a few moments, the driver asked warmly: “Do you want to have a good tea?” Strolls agrees, and the two stop at the driver’s favorite tea stall – where even the chaiwala greets them in English, proudly saying that the recipe is his own.
At the end of the clip, Strolls offers the driver some money, saying: “This is for your problem.”
Watch the viral video:
The video was well received by viewers, who praised the driver’s eloquence and humility.
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“My car driver’s English is still much better than my current boss’s,” one user commented.
Another wrote: “Today’s lesson: Money is necessary for life, and life is not about money.”
Others celebrated the spirit of the moment. One comment read: “This is the India we love, full of grace, warmth and wisdom.” Another added: “Let’s normalize respect for everyone – you can never judge a book by its cover.” Another Instagram user wrote: “I would love to know his story. What made him choose to be a car driver? What a sweet and kind man.”
(Tags for translation)Australian traveler
