‘He has added GST…Gora service tax’: Hyderabad banana seller demands Rs 100 for one banana from foreigner

A fruit seller in Hyderabad sparked laughter and disbelief after trying to charge a Scottish tourist Rs 100 for a single banana. The incident, which was captured on video and shared by traveler Hugh on Instagram, has since gone viral, garnering more than 6 million views.

Hugh, who has been exploring India and documenting his street food experiences, met a banana seller while navigating the vibrant local markets. Although he sampled a variety of Indian snacks – such as vada pav, pav bhaji, and jalebis – Hugh found himself facing an unusual price for just one banana.

In the video, Hugh repeatedly asks the seller the price, but receives the same stunned response: INR 100. After realizing he was being overcharged, he eventually decided to leave without making a purchase.

Hugh then goes on to explain how the price of the bananas the seller was asking was also much higher than their price in the UK. He says the seller was selling one banana for 100 rupees, or one pound. “People in the UK can get 8 bananas at this price.”

The humorous exchange resonated with viewers, prompting a wave of comments that ranged from jokes about prices to expressions of sympathy for the tourist. “Bro is trying to restore Indian economy,” one commenter quipped, while another quipped: “He added GST (Gora service tax).”

Another user commented, “After watching 😂 their prices have gone up 😂.”

While many vendors welcomed Hugh warmly and offered him fair prices, this particular incident highlights occasional attempts to overcharge tourists. The video is a fun reminder of the quirks of street shopping in India.