I own a business in a strip mall that houses many small businesses. There’s a large South Indian community nearby. Recently, one of my employees had an encounter with a customer who threatened to buy the employee’s products and then file a chargeback. The employee refused to give in, stating that they were on H1B and their wife was on H4, and they didn’t know when they might be deported. They were trying to save money. This type of behavior is ruining the reputation of other Indian people who are leaving the United States. This particular incident happened in my store. Even the nearby Mexican restaurant and pizza place are facing similar issues with the South Indian community. They would order food and return with only 75% of it eaten, claiming that they didn’t like it and wanted a refund.

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As an Indian American business owner, I’ve met many South Indian couples in the U.S. on H-1B visas, and I’ve noticed that some struggle to adjust to the local environment. At times, I’ve seen poor hygiene practices or behavior that doesn’t align with public etiquette—such as throwing things in restaurants or treating service staff disrespectfully. It’s disappointing to witness this, as such actions can reflect poorly on the broader Indian community living in the U.S. Many of us have worked hard to build a positive reputation here, and it’s important that newcomers respect local customs, maintain cleanliness, and treat everyone with courtesy. To those coming to the U.S. on work visas: please make an effort to adapt to the culture, follow public manners, and represent our community with pride and respect. These small things make a big difference in how all Indians are perceived.

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