An Australian woman currently residing in India has ignited a lively online discussion after sharing her candid views on the country’s domestic help culture.
In a video posted on Instagram, Bree Steele spoke about the striking differences she has noticed between daily life in India and in Western countries, particularly when it comes to handling household chores.
“I don’t cook or clean in India. Chores? I don’t know them,” Steele said in the now-viral clip.
She went on to explain that in India, it is common for middle-class to affluent households to employ domestic help for a range of tasks—from cleaning to cooking and more—depending on the household's needs.
In contrast, she highlighted that in her home country of Australia, most people manage full-time jobs alongside doing their own household chores without external help. Initially surprised by the system in India, Steele said her perspective evolved after observing the work-life balance—or lack thereof—among her Indian peers.
“At first, I thought, ‘That’s what we do in the West—we do everything ourselves.’ But over time, I saw friends here getting work calls at 9:30 p.m. There’s no real work-life balance. The expectations are so high,” she said.
While acknowledging that labour is inexpensive in India, she admitted to feeling conflicted about how easy it was to get used to not doing housework.
“For better or worse, labour is cheap in India, and I have to say, I’m ashamed at how much I’m enjoying it. And how easy it is to fall out of the habit of doing your own cleaning,” Steele added.
Her post, captioned “Chores? Hardly know ’em! This is one of the least talked about cultural differences between India and the West,” quickly went viral, drawing over 4 lakh views and sparking a flood of comments debating the cultural, economic, and ethical implications of her experience.
Social Media Reacts
Many users defended the Indian way of life, pointing out that the climate, cultural expectations, and cooking styles in India demand more intensive home maintenance.
“Don’t forget you all have machines. Dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, etc. It’s very dusty here, so we clean our floors daily,” one commenter wrote.
Another user highlighted the differences in kitchen practices:
“Our kind of cooking requires washing utensils by hand. Dishwashers wouldn’t work well. The energy bill would be higher than hiring help.”
Some supported Steele’s observations, with one comment reading:
“Sometimes I feel we have it so easy in India, and yet we keep chasing Western standards. Thanks for putting it out here.”
However, others were more critical. A user who had lived in both cultures commented:
“As someone who grew up in India with house help and moved to the West, I’ll pick the West every single time. Despite the chores, I have more time for hobbies and health.”
Another perspective emphasised the broader context of affordability in India:
“Yes, labour is cheap in India, but also the cost of living is more affordable. House helps may not have luxuries, but they have access to affordable housing, healthcare, and community support.”
Yet, not everyone was comfortable with Steele’s comments. A critical voice in the comment section said:
“Let’s stop glorifying the misuse of cheap labour in India as something to be excited about.”
As Steele’s video continues to circulate online, it has opened up a conversation not just about convenience, but also about privilege, labor ethics, and the cultural contrasts between India and the West.
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