Woman's Sitting Posture At Taj Hotel Triggers Heated Debate About Fine-Dining Etiquette: 'Some Decorum You Should Follow' | VIDEO

What started as a simple dinner at House of Ming in Delhi’s Taj Mahal Hotel quickly turned into a social media storm. Shradha Sharma, founder of YourStory, shared how she felt humiliated when the restaurant manager approached her about the way she was sitting. According to her, a guest had complained after noticing her sitting in sukhasana, a common yoga posture, with her legs folded.

Shradha recounted the encounter in a video on X, saying, “Which again was odd as I then showed him my Kolhapuri sandals and asked, ‘What is wrong in these?’ He did not have any justification to my response and I told him that I don’t think I am doing anything wrong or offending anyone and did not change how I was sitting.”

She described how strange it felt to be judged for a posture that is part of Indian culture. “Most of the women I know sit like this and it’s just a part of our Indian culture and tradition. It’s odd to feel this way in my own country. I have worked so hard to be able to afford good things in life and have my family experience it with me, which is exactly what I wanted to joyfully do with my sister at the restaurant. But to be made to feel judged and humiliated just for being authentic, that too at a place where I am a customer who is dining and will be paying a hefty bill, felt very strange.”

The manager later noticed her discomfort and tried to make amends by offering desserts, which she politely refused. While her sister wanted to file a formal complaint, Shradha chose to post about it online to start a larger conversation.

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“I have travelled the world and been to many fine dining restaurants where they appreciate and really accept Indian culture. Why can’t I be authentic? And who decides the etiquette of a fine dining restaurant? There is one popular premium fine dining restaurant where they encourage you to eat with your hands, and then at another; they have different rules. If that is the case, why not just write down the rules beforehand outside the restaurant?”

Watch The Viral Video:

एक आम इंसान, जो मेहनत करके, अपना पैसा कमा कर, अपनी इज़्ज़त के साथ ताज होटल में आता है — उसे आज भी इस देश में ज़लील और अपमानित होना पड़ता है।
और मेरी गलती क्या है? सिर्फ़ ये कि मैं बैठ गई एक “regular padmasana style” में?
क्या ये मेरी गलती है कि ताज मुझे सिखा रहा है कि कैसे बैठना… pic.twitter.com/vKBYjg8ltb

— Shradha Sharma (@SharmaShradha) October 21, 2025

The post quickly went viral, sparking debates about cultural authenticity, fine-dining norms, and respecting Indian traditions even in luxury settings. The hotel is 100% right here. Fine dining has its own rules and dress codes. If you want to eat in your own comfort and style, go somewhere that matches it. That’s the problem with many Indians. We want to do things our way everywhere," a user wrote.

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"Madam, the same seat that you have put your feet on will be used by another guest. This is not your home or drawing room. Have some civic sense. It's also an issue of hygiene. You want other people to sit on the couch laced with dirt & bacteria from your feet?" a second user wrote. "Imagine the waiter walking in wearing a lungi and banyan — the same lady would feel offended. At a fine-dining restaurant — especially in a Taj — posture matters as much as the plating," wrote a third user.