A Canadian influencer, Caleb Friesen, recently shared a unique experience from his IndiGo flight from Mizoram to Kolkata. Expecting the usual rush after the seatbelt sign turned off, he was shocked when not a single passenger stood up immediately. This unusual moment caught his attention and made him wonder if India is slowly changing in terms of patience and civic behavior.
Friesen humorously explained the common flight scenario in India: the “eager uncle” who stands up before the seatbelt sign switches off, prompting crew warnings. On this flight, however, everyone remained seated, breaking the usual pattern. Caleb said, “I became the uncle. I am the uncle,” after finally standing himself, adding a funny twist to the story.
All 186 passengers waited quietly, showing discipline and patience. Caleb noted that this collective behavior made him reflect on societal changes. He believes that as India’s economy grows, patience and civic sense will improve, making pushing and shoving less common in the future.
Every flight has an Eager Uncle.
The guy who can’t wait until the seatbelt sign turns off.
He stands, and someone from the flight crew shouts at him from the other side of the plane.
“Sir, please sir down! Sir!”
Every flight has an Eager Uncle.
Today, I became that uncle. pic.twitter.com/d5naB78nZU
— Caleb (@caleb_friesen) January 18, 2026
However, his next flight from Kolkata to Bengaluru reverted to the usual chaos. Passengers hurried into the aisle as soon as the seatbelt sign switched off. This contrast shows that while some pockets of India exhibit calm behavior, it’s not uniform across the country yet.
Social media users reacted differently to Caleb’s observations. Some praised the civility, especially in North East India, while others highlighted that impatience is still widespread elsewhere. Many found Caleb’s humor relatable and appreciated his light-hearted take on a cultural shift in India.
FAQs
Why did Caleb Friesen call himself “the uncle”?
He jokingly called himself “the uncle” because he was the first to stand up after everyone else waited patiently, a common stereotype for impatient passengers.
Did all passengers remain calm on the flight?
Yes, on the Mizoram to Kolkata flight, all passengers remained seated until the seatbelt sign turned off, which Caleb found surprising.
Is this behavior common across India?
No, Caleb’s next flight from Kolkata to Bengaluru returned to the usual rushed behavior, showing that patience varies across regions.
What does this incident say about India?
Caleb suggests that as the economy grows, Indians may gradually develop more civic sense and patience, reflecting positive societal changes.
Conclusion
This unusual IndiGo flight experience highlights a small but significant change in passenger behavior, where discipline and patience took precedence over the usual rush. While it’s not universal yet, moments like these indicate that India may be slowly evolving in terms of civic sense, giving hope for a calmer, more orderly future.