People coming from South Asian countries often experience racism in first-world countries like the United States or the United Kingdom. It’s not uncommon for shopkeepers to stereotype South Asians as unable to afford luxury items, often looking at them with a prejudiced or dismissive attitude. It happened to veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan too.
Amitabh Bachchan, who is currently hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati season 16, recounted an incident from one of his trips to London that left a lasting impression on him. When he was asked whether he checks the price of items he is purchasing, Bachchan candidly replied that it’s natural to do so. He then shared an experience where he encountered a shopkeeper with a rather condescending attitude.
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“I was browsing through a store in London and had picked up a tie when the shopkeeper, with a sarcastic tone, mentioned that it cost 120 pounds (Rs 13.2k approx),” he recalled, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
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Without missing a beat, Bachchan responded, “I looked at him and calmly said, ‘Pack ten of these for me.’ It’s important to stand your ground and let people know that we, as Indians, aren’t to be looked down upon. Confidence and self-respect are essential, especially in situations like these.”
However, people online didn’t respond to his story with pride or have an impression of his “swag”. They, instead, lauded the shopkeeper for doing his job well and earning a massive commission. All he had to do was hurt Big B’s ego a little!
The shopkeeper who sold 10 ties to Amitabh. pic.twitter.com/5asxlb2yLH
— taad patri (@IndieKnopfler) September 13, 2024
Brilliant salesman. Played on his ego and did a 10X sale.
— StoxMentor | The Stock Market Guide (@StoxMentor) September 13, 2024
He should have gone to another shop, purchased 10 ties from there & then come to this shop & said “You were rude to me. Big mistake” like Julia Roberts did in that iconic scene in Pretty Woman🔥🔥🔥
You repaid their RUDENESS & RACISM with profit for them, Amit ji !! pic.twitter.com/4toJrzzrwx
— PallaviCT (@pallavict) September 13, 2024
A Good Salesman can hurt the ego of Rich man to make a killing.
— M K (@vasumogan) September 13, 2024
That salesman learnt a valuable lesson: be rude to rich Indians and let their ego write your commission check.
Similar story: a salesman once sold an Indian king a bunch of Rolls Royces by playing his ego.
— Kashyap Sriram (@kashyap286) September 13, 2024
Pride should never get in the way of prudence. I would have never bought anything from that store.
— Praveen Sinha (MAGA) (@PS_IAIOC) September 13, 2024
a london shopkeeper once told me condescendingly this tie is 12 pounds and i said bhadwe main idhar hi kaam karta hoon and then we both went to amitabh
— vishal dayama (@VishalDayama) September 13, 2024
Yaar mere purane school uniform ki ek extra tie padhi hai vintage bolke Amitabh Bachchan ko chipka du kya?
— Amber (@BeydardiRaja) September 13, 2024
It may look like Amitabh Bachchan won this round but it is the shopkeer who took home the trophy! 😛