An American travel blogger has been criticised for eating Pakistani street food with the intention of getting food poisoning.
It’s common knowledge that foreigners travelling to the Indian subcontinent are prone to stomach problems due to immune issues – in fact, there’s even a name for this phenomenon – “Delhi belly” – which refers to the diarrhea, constipation and other stomach problems that foreigners suffer from in India.
But for an American man to openly claim he was getting food poisoning from eating Pakistani street food is something the internet just can’t fathom.
In an Instagram video that’s gone viral, a blogger named Colin takes viewers to the streets of Lahore, and he makes his intentions clear from the start: “I’m going to eat street food until I get food poisoning. I’m in Lahore, Pakistan, and I’m going to walk around and find and eat the weirdest things I can.”
Colin then eats halwa, pakoras, and drinks lassi in Lahore, none of which gives him food poisoning. He ends the video by admitting that, although he didn’t get food poisoning, he’ll continue trying.
Check out the video below:
In the caption, Collin wrote that many restaurant owners have refused to take payment from him and also said that Pakistan is one of his favourite places to eat.
“Without a doubt the best day of my trip to Pakistan was wandering the narrow walled streets of Lahore. Although it’s not in the video, most of the food was given as a token of hospitality. Pakistanis are the kindest people in the world,” he wrote.
However, many viewers condemned the video as “disrespectful” and exploitative, with some also commenting on the questionable practice of seeking out “strange” foods and eating halwa and pakora in Pakistan.
“The weirdest thing to see in a mirror. If you’re going to insult people’s way of life for netpoints then don’t travel to that place,” commented an Instagram user.
“Wow, this is shocking. How dare you say on a microphone that you’re scared and afraid your food will be poisoned, all for ratings, while still putting a smile on the faces of locals? So dishonest and exploitative,” one person wrote.
“This is such disrespect for the culture. Halwa and lassi are the most delicious desserts and drinks and he thinks he’s going to get food poisoning just because he’s never seen them,” said another.
The blogger also received support from a section of the internet: “As a Pakistani I absolutely love this series and I’m glad you like the food,” one person commented.
