Curious India tourism ad from 1960

The white people in this ad are openly staring at the Indian couple, as though the couple were a tourist attraction.

In the headline, I refer to this ad as "curious" but "racist" would be a more appropriate description.

Comments

[Bela]

Some of the spectators appear to be Asian to me, but there is definitely a tone of Orientalism to this ad. It also suggests the idea of "Let us help you plan your trip to ensure you don't see any slums or come into contact with poor people, except for a few of the cuter beggar children, of course."

[Dave]

I think the tourists are actually admiring the couple, as the last line of copy suggests. The woman in the gray dress with her hand to her mouth is clearly struck by the "royal" appearance of the Indian couple.

[xoxo]

I don't think this is racist at all. Put in the context of the time, how many people, besides the Beatles, considered travel to India? Surely the sights there, including the exotic dress, were something of a marvel. If it were just like home why would anyone want to go visit? Agree with the poster above that the couple is admired, that is how I see it.

[Tulips]

I agree with Dave and xoxo. Those (staged) tourists are simply people watching, but not necessarily in a disrespectful way. I'm sure if we visited an exotic country tomorrow, we'd probably share similar facial expressions in awe of an unusual or stunning sight.

[Werner Ladders]

My basement is full with old stuff

[hire a website developer]

What ever it may be but the tourists are the real property of any nation. They should treated honestly for their arrival. If they tries to exceed the limit then only some action should be taken.

[mark]

There are no 'white' people in this ad, and all the onlookers have friendly expressions.Sometimes people see what they want/expect to see, instead of what's actualy there.

[shane]

the strange things you find in basements