A viral video showing a woman eating golgappa with a spoon for makeup protection sparked outrage, as netizens called it an insult to the beloved street snack.
'Yeh bhi koi tareeka hai golgappa khane ka?' This single line sums up how many desis reacted to a viral video that demonstrates an alternative method to eat golgappa, also known as pani puri.
The beloved street snack is cherished not only for its tangy flavours and crispy puris but also for the joyful, hands-on experience of eating it. However, a recent Instagram video has disrupted this sentiment by proposing a more 'graceful' approach.
Shared by the Instagram page Pria Warrick Finishing Academy (PWFA), the video features a woman opting for cutlery instead of her hands while eating golgappa. The reason?
To keep her makeup intact. The academy, known for its grooming and etiquette content, captioned the clip: “A beloved street delicacy, enjoyed with elegance. Yes, it’s possible to savour pani puri without compromising your makeup or your grace. Here is the subtle techniques to indulge in your favourite flavours while maintaining poise and polish. Because refined dining isn’t limited to fine dining.”
Watch:
At first, the woman in the video begins eating the puris the usual way. But after a moment’s pause, she switches tactics. She picks up a puri using a fork, places it in a bowl, breaks it with a spoon, takes small bites, and sips the paani from a shot glass. An overlay message reads: “Ladies, don’t spoil your make up try this hack!”
While the video may have aimed to offer a sophisticated spin on enjoying street food, the internet wasn’t buying it. For most, pani puri is about taste, mess, and joy, not about refinement.
One user hit back saying, “With all due respect ma’am I would rather apply another coat of lipstick but not compromise with the golgappa.”
Another echoed, “Golgappa is Indian street food, and not everything needs to be eaten with a spoon or a fork. There’s a specific way to enjoy golgappas…you fill them with spiced water and pop the whole thing in your mouth, that’s where the real joy is. Not everything needs to be influenced by the West.”
The video’s attempt to elevate street food etiquette was not only rejected but also ridiculed.
One user exclaimed, “Totally not needed. This is hurtful to even watch.”
Another shared, “My emotions are now hurt.”
Someone else added, “I can go without makeup but won’t insult pani puri like this.”
“You’ve taken the joy out of eating. Stop it. Please,” wrote a visibly upset commenter.
And one more firmly stated, “Oh yeah you bet!!! Golgappa is life!! And this is just an insult!!!”
While the video might have intended to showcase a cleaner, more ‘refined’ way to eat golgappa, many believe it misses the point. For them, golgappa is more than a snack, it's an emotion. The crunch, the burst of paani, and the hands-on mess are what make it truly enjoyable.
