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Journalism of Courage
Conner McBee, an American travel vlogger, is receiving backlash online after he criticised autorickshaw drivers in India and mocked the country. In a viral video, he called India “dirty, dishonest, and noisy” while travelling from an airport to his hotel.
McBee uploaded a YouTube video last year titled “I went back to India…it still sucks”. He also claims he wanted to “avoid India like the plague”, but ended up visiting because of a layover.
Though the video is a year old, it resurfaced recently after fellow American traveller Stephen Hauser criticised McBee in a series of Instagram videos. Hauser condemned the vlogger for attempting to bargain with financially struggling autorickshaw drivers.
McBee’s video shows him trying to slash down a Rs 300 fare that a driver asked for to just Rs 20. “It’s so fun bargaining in India,” he says. Reacting to this, Hauser retorts, “You’re not bargaining. You’re being an a**hole.”
Hauser continues to call out McBee’s behaviour as the YouTuber moves from one driver to another, attempting to negotiate lower and lower prices. “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.”
Multiple drivers refuse McBee’s offers before one eventually agrees to take him to his hotel. The full YouTube video also shows McBee carefully avoiding spots on the road to keep from stepping on “human feces” and complains that it is difficult to find honest people in India.
Once he reaches his hotel, the vlogger expresses surprise at its cleanliness but quickly points out a light that wasn’t functioning. He repeats that he never wanted to come back to India, insisting he only did so because of a layover.
Responding to this claim, Hauser accuses him of dishonesty, saying McBee is insulting India purely “for views” and to earn money. “You didn’t have to come back here for a layover. Layovers, you usually don’t even have to leave the airport,” Hauser says. “You’re coming back here to make content. Just be honest.”
In another part of the video, McBee attempts to bargain with an elderly rickshaw puller who asks for Rs 200. “Just pay him the 200! This is what his whole video is, trying to lowball Indians,” Hauser reacts.
The video quickly gained traction, prompting a flurry of reactions. “25 rupees is like 25 cents. That’s the most he can afford? How broke is this guy?” an Instagram user wrote. “Great, there are also hotels where he won’t be able to get in,” another user commented.
“Nicest hotel?? Bro every middle class indian book atleast this kinda hotel or even better,” a third user reacted.
