An American travel blogger faced severe backlash as a viral resurfaced video showed him aggressively bargaining with autorickshaw drivers in India and mocking the country. Conner McBee, the blogger using the online name “Small Brained American”, uploaded a YouTube video last year entitled “I went back to India… it still sucks”. He had described India as “dirty, dishonest and noisy” during his ride from the airport to his hotel. He claimed he wanted to “avoid India like the plague” but had to visit because of a layover.
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Bargaining clip resurfaces after fellow american calls him out
The video gained attention again recently after another American traveller, Stephen Hauser, criticised McBee in a series of Instagram videos. He accuses him of mistreating underprivileged autorickshaw drivers and disrespecting locals.
McBee's video shows him trying to bargain a quoted fare of ₹300 down to ₹20. At one point, he says, "It's so fun bargaining in India." Responding to the clip, Hauser replied, "You're not bargaining. You're being an a**hole."
As McBee continues to switch from one driver to another, hoping to get a cheaper fare, Hauser says, “He doesn’t believe these people are humans. So he can’t fathom paying somebody what they ask, because he doesn’t believe that these people are actual humans trying to make a living and provide for their families."
Using India for content, says Hauser
McBee is shown walking on the road gingerly to avoid “human faeces” and grumbling about how hard it was to find honest people. Later, when he checked into his hotel, he remarked on its cleanness before pointing out that one light did not work. He said again that he did not want to go back to India but had to because of a layover.
To this claim, Hauser called out, saying, “You didn’t have to come back here for a layover. Layovers you usually don’t even have to leave the airport… You’re coming back here to make content. Just be honest”.
In another segment, McBee haggles with an elderly rickshaw puller who was asking for ₹200. To this, Hauser replied, "Just pay him the 200! This is what his whole video is-trying to lowball Indians."
Viewers join the criticism
After Hauser's reaction videos went viral, several viewers, including Indians and foreigners, condemned the behaviour of McBee. One commenter wrote, "Aussie who grew up in India, these are the type of people even I would want out of the country."
Another added, "Bargaining 300 to 20? Its diabolical. Even we Indians don't go that low."
Others pointed out the increase in creators showing India in negative light in order to garner more views. “I think defaming India has become one of the major content pieces for most creators. Thanks for calling it out,” said one viewer.
Another commented, “People need to understand a basic truth: it’s usually the broke, clueless travellers who venture into slum districts on a shoestring budget and then broadcast to the entire internet that India sucks.”
