Mumbai, the rudest city? A tag readers can’t digest

A survey conducted by Reader’s Digest rates Mumbai as the rudest city. Indignant Mumbaikars slam the survey and give their accounts of the city’s unique etiquette.

Survey doesn’t make sense

The survey is baseless. The parameters that it has relied on are inappropriate. You can't compare Mumbai to Paris or London, where the culture is very different. The best way to judge how hospitable and helpful our city is to watch how people help you onto the train as it pulls out of the station. If our city is rude, how come it is considered as one of the safer cities for women? Agreed, no one goes out of their way to help you, but if you ask for help you'll never be refused.

I'm originally from Kolkata. When I was new to the place, people did all they could to help me settle down. Everywhere I went, people helped me with directions. The person I stayed with also made me feel at home. I love Mumbai with all my heart. —Shahrukh Dandiwala/ Andheri

Remember the deluge

Those who conducted the survey have probably overlooked 26/7. Everyone went out of their way to help each other. People got of their homes and waded in knee-deep water distributing food and water to those stranded on the roads. I think that counts for a lot more than holding a door open for a woman. This city has a heart, which does not need the facade of polite British Raj manners. Does a mere ‘thank you’ signify anything? This is probably one of the best cities in the world. —Zeth/ Thane

Different parameters needed

In Mumbai, people don't have the time to be chivalrous, but that doesn't mean that we aren't courteous. Stuff like shopkeepers saying ‘thank you’ and men opening doors for women is not part of our culture. The survey should have had different parameters in accordance with the inherent culture of each city. People in London might help you pick up fallen books, but will they accomodate you in the overcrowded train? The city has evolved beyond these superficialities. It is more casual and when it matters the most,  you always have a helping hand readily waiting for you. —Dinesh Parab.Borivali

Spirit of the city is amazing

The survey isn't alarming. The parameters are sufficient to assess the courtesy quotient of the city. I am from Pune and not too fond of Mumbai. For the first few months of my stay, I had to drive down to work as travelling on public transport was a terrible experience. Pune is relatively better. However, I must admit that the spirit of Mumbaikars is commendable. They troop in to work after braving horrific two-hour train journeys. Even on the trains, people are accommodating and helpful. —Ameya Gokarn/ Dadar

That’s courtesy for you

I left my family and came to Mumbai to work. With no friends here, I felt like a fish out of water. The big, bad city with all its wolves frightened me. My landlady appeared to be very kind, but back home they'd cautioned me that Mumbai is very selfish and no one is nice without a reason. As days passed, the city warmed up and the landlady seemed to be genuinely kind. She would wake me up every morning so that I could reach work on time. She would call if I was late just to make sure I was alright. Even complete strangers were nice.

It was one in the night; I finished work late and was waiting for a cab. There was a guy waiting too. A taxi eventually arrived and the guy stopped it. I had to go to Bandra, while he was headed for Andheri. I thought that I'd have to wait for another taxi, as the cabbie would prefer a higher fare. But to my astonishment, the cabbie told the guy he would ferry me as it was late. No, the cabbie didn't get out and hold the door for me, but he did something that was more meaningful. So, are we still the rudest city in the world? —Shalini Makhija/ Bandra