A recent Instagram video by an Indian content creator in the United States on “how to not smell like curry” has left the Internet divided, highlighting the racial stereotype in the West of people from India smelling of curry.
Ms Shivee Chauhan, based in San Francisco, shared the steps she takes so that her clothes do not smell of the Indian food she cooks in her house, reported the Hindustan Times.
“I like my Indian food. But I also hate going out smelling like Indian food,” she said, outlining what she does to avoid the smell of Indian spices and onion on her clothes.
Ms Chauhan said she has dedicated “cooking clothes” which she wears while cooking, and that she immediately changes out of office wear after returning home.
“The smell of the onion, garlic and spices really sticks to the clothes that you’re wearing. So it is worth it to have clothes that you cook in and always, always change out of office clothes as soon as you come back home,” she said.
“I also change my clothes before going out so that they don’t have that lingering smell of cooking.”
Ms Chauhan also warned people against wearing jackets near the kitchen. “If the smell sticks to your jacket, it’s not going away till you dry clean your jackets. And even then, it might not.”
She also suggested keeping jackets in closed closets.
“In fact, whenever I start cooking, I close the closet doors, the bedroom doors, the entry way closet door, and the door to the washer and dryer area. I also turn on the vent and open the balcony gate,” she added.
If you like, you can also swap the pungent-smelling red onion for the less pungent white onion – the food won’t taste the same though.”
The viral video, which has more than eight million views, triggered a wave of remarks in the comments section, with some appreciating the Indian woman for her tips.
Others, however, criticised her for reinforcing racial stereotypes tied to Indian culture.
“I think this is a white people concept,” one user said.
Some users came to the content creator’s defence, arguing that she was simply sharing practical tips, reported India Today.
One user, Ms Alekhya, pointed out that unlike in India, the scent of Indian food tends to linger more in homes in the West. “This isn’t about ‘whitewashing’, but rather, dealing with the persistent after-smell of onions. No matter how much perfume you use, the scent can be hard to eliminate,” she said.
User Anu suggested that heating coffee powder in a pan is a way to neutralise the smell of food.
Other users praised Ms Chauhan for her authenticity and practical advice. Supportive comments included “Everyone should appreciate this video,” and “I wish every Indian is as great as you.”
With more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, Ms Chauhan often shares relatable content about her experiences as an Indian living abroad.
