If you have lived in an Indian city, services like instant food delivery, affordable household help, quick repairs, or last-minute doctor visits may feel completely normal. You barely think about them. However, after moving abroad, particularly to countries like the United Kingdom, you may realize how luxurious these ordinary conveniences actually are.
The Viral List That Sparked a Conversation
Vidhi Lilha, an Indian woman residing in the UK, compiled a list of 11 everyday things that Indians often take for granted until they are no longer available. Her Instagram video, posted under the username "miss__vidhu," gained widespread attention, prompting discussions about convenience, affordability, and the subtle perks of growing up in India.
Vidhi summed up her observation succinctly: "Things that feel basic in India suddenly become premium in the UK."
1. Doorstep Everything
In Indian cities, the concept of "doorstep everything" is a reality. Food, groceries, laundry, medicines, and returns are all delivered to your home. Need a home service? It arrives at your doorstep. In the UK, many tasks require you to pick up items or book specific time slots. Grocery apps in India, promising 10-minute deliveries, are part of daily life.
2. Household Help
Middle-class Indian homes often employ maids, cooks, cleaners, and drivers. These services are affordable and readily available. In contrast, hiring regular help in the UK is expensive and typically reserved for the wealthy.
3. Repair Culture
In India, there is always someone who can fix anything — from shoes and phones to fridges, clothes, and furniture — often at a low cost and nearby. In the UK, repairs are costly or inconvenient, so people tend to replace items instead.
4. Last-Minute Living
India operates on flexible timing. You can book things at the last moment, change plans, handle emergencies, or call in a favor. The UK, however, expects structure, appointments, and advance notice for almost everything.
5. Customer Service Differences
Indian customer service is often personal. Representatives call, adapt, solve problems, and occasionally bend rules. In the UK, service is more procedural and systematic, with less flexibility.
6. Food: Accessible and Late
Eating out in India is affordable. Food is available everywhere, in every cuisine, and delivery stays open late. In the UK, dining out is pricier, restaurants close early, and takeout variety is limited.
7. Daily Workers
Need a plumber, mover, or electrician in India? Forgetting apps, a local phone number or asking around usually gets someone there quickly. In the UK, you must book ahead, schedule an appointment, and pay more.
8. Transport on Demand
India's transit is unpredictable but always available. Taxis, autos, and rickshaws run around the clock. In the UK, public transit is organized but rides cost more and are less available, especially late at night.
9. Getting Medicine Easily
Pharmacies are everywhere in India, and for common ailments, you can get what you need quickly, even in emergencies. The UK's healthcare system is streamlined but for non-emergencies, you may have to wait.
10. Delivery Speed
If you are used to same-day or next-day delivery in India, British timelines can feel slow. Need a cold drink and snacks for a party? In India, you get it within half an hour. In the UK, even next-day delivery is not guaranteed.
11. Missed Courier
In India, if you miss a package, the delivery person will likely call, wait, or reschedule. In the UK, missing the doorbell means your parcel is gone. This highlights the difference between rigid systems and the flexible, human approach back home.
These observations have resonated with many, reminding Indians of the unique conveniences they often overlook until they experience life abroad.
