Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Indian woman’s Australia comparison sparks debate over socialising costs
Smidha lives in Australia and recently visited Mumbai.
She noticed that meeting friends in Mumbai often meant going to a cafe, restaurant or mall.
That usually required spending money.
In Australia, she said people can meet in parks, libraries or by the beach without ordering anything.
She believes Indian cities need more comfortable public places where people can gather for free.
Some people agreed with her.
Others said India’s hot weather can make outdoor places uncomfortable.
The conversation also questioned whether cafes and malls have become too central to socialising.
Smidha said socialising in Mumbai often involved spending money at cafes, restaurants or malls.
She said Australia offers more ways to meet without buying anything, including parks, beaches and libraries.
Her comments described Indian cities as places where people may need to become customers to socialise.
Some users agreed that Indian cities lack comfortable, accessible free public gathering spaces.
Others cited hot weather, limited infrastructure, changing lifestyles and consumer culture as contributing factors.
- Who
- Smidha, an Indian woman living in Australia, and users responding to her Instagram video.
- What
- A discussion about the cost and location of socialising in India compared with Australia.
- When
- After Smidha recently returned to India and shared an Instagram video.
- Where
- The comparison focused on Mumbai and Australia.
- Why
- Smidha said social plans in Mumbai often involved paid venues, while Australia offered more free public spaces for meeting friends.
Free public spaces are lacking
Climate and habits also shape socialising
Why people use paid venues
Free public spaces are lacking
Smidha and agreeing users said Indian cities often lack comfortable, accessible places where people can gather without spending money.
Climate and habits also shape socialising
Other users said India’s heat can make parks and beaches uncomfortable, pushing people toward indoor venues.
Role of urban conditions
Free public spaces are lacking
Some commenters pointed to insufficient parks, lakes, trees and public infrastructure as barriers to free socialising.
Climate and habits also shape socialising
Others suggested that weather, limited nature and the need for cooler spaces may matter as much as urban planning.
Consumer culture
Free public spaces are lacking
The discussion suggested people may have become accustomed to meeting at cafes and malls instead of gathering freely.
Climate and habits also shape socialising
Another perspective was that socialising around food may reflect practical lifestyle habits, including the difficulty of maintaining fitness when outings revolve around eating.
- Person
- Smidha, an Indian woman living in Australia
- Indian city discussed
- Mumbai
- Common paid venues
- Cafes, restaurants and shopping malls
- Free Australian settings mentioned
- Parks, beaches, libraries and other public places
- Main urban concern
- A perceived shortage of comfortable, accessible third spaces in Indian cities
- Other explanations raised
- Hot weather, limited nature and public infrastructure, changing lifestyles and consumer culture