Racial attacks in Australia - Why? : A Drill down

As the dust probably settles down for now on racist attacks in Australia (Which seem to be making news all over India, so much that high level talks have been held between the two governments), I also am enjoying the company of one of my ex-colleagues (He is a guy and 30 years old) who has returned back after a stay in Adelaide.

He shares his experiences in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide (And I believe, Melbourne and Sydney were reported to be the epicenter of all these Australia racial attacks). As I am an Indian myself, I wanted a first hand recount of how bad the situation is. I know quite a bit about the Oz culture (Aussie culture), but dont really know about the on-ground situation.

My discussion with my colleague would probably go on to change a lot on what I thought about the entire racism episode in Australia.

Here's why my friend believes Indians are at fault when the locals there attack Indians on racial grounds.

1. A group of Indians make noise always - If this had to happen in a crowded bar, it would be fine. But, what would you have to say when Indians enter in a silent tram and end up chatting their way to glory.

2. Indian oggling at females - My colleague was shocked to find a group of Indian college students oggling at a local female in a street. In fact, one of them even made lewd remarks about the female and brushed her by her back. The girls' boyfriend's reaction in bashing up the guy was absolutely vindicated.

3. Drinking and getting in high spirits - My colleague believes drinking is an integral part of Aussie life. But he also found that it was Indians who more or less misbehaved when they drank, especially in a pub or a bar.

4. Showing scant respect for local laws - My colleague also found a lot of instances where Indians deliberately violated local laws. He had a finch in his eye when he said Australians were law abiding, but couldnt tolerate any violation of laws at all.

These 4 instances were counted by my colleague based on his 3-month trip. And these were good enough to tell me

1. We Indians should not forget that laws of another country need to be respected.

2. We Indians should know that we are in a foreign country and we should adapt to their cultural requirements and not make them adapt to us.

3. We Indians should respect the privacy and the sensitivities of the people of the country.

4. We Indians should stop blaming others for Australia racial attacks and start taking ownership. I am sure if a foreigner would have violated decency rules in India, he or she would have been dealt with. What goes around, comes around, doesn't it?

Bottom-line - I believe Mr. Rudd and the locals living in Australia have been gracious enough in accepting Indians in their land and most importantly, tolerating their nonsense. This at no point vindicates some pointless racial attacks on Indians, but such instances have been far and few between.

If I have to go by my colleague's thoughts, visiting Australia has to be one of my objectives at least for me to find out more on this issue of racist attacks in Australia. By the looks of it, I will put the blame 100% on we Indians, but I will wait for my final assessment until I get there.