Birthdays are among the most cherished days of the year-a time when nearly everyone looks forward to a grand celebration. That one day makes you feel truly special, and you look forward to indulgent treats and loads of gifts. No matter the age, birthdays are anticipated with childlike excitement. However, there is an American woman who dislikes celebrating her birthday in India. Kristen Fischer has been living in India for many years now and loves the country deeply, but she says she misses home on her birthdays-and the reason highlights a cultural difference between the two countries.Birthdays in India are celebrated differently, says Fischer. “There is a big difference in how birthdays are celebrated in the US and in India. Here, if my friends ask me to go out for a party on my birthday, I feel a bit hesitant because I know I will have to foot the bill. This makes no sense to me, because in America, if it’s your birthday, people want to celebrate you—not the other way around. In the US, you are never expected to pay on your birthday because people want to treat you. In fact, friends and family throw the party and chip in to make sure you don’t have to spend anything on your special day. Most restaurants in the US will either give you a free dessert or a free drink or meal, and I feel that’s how it should be. To be completely honest, I don’t like celebrating my birthday here because it puts a burden on the person whose birthday it is.”
Kristen’s post highlights this divide. While she has often spoken positively about India after years of living here, this time she admits to missing home. Kristen Fischer is an American woman who has been living in India for the past four years. She and her husband first visited India eight years ago, and after staying for three months, they fell in love with the country. “We went back to the US, had two daughters, but at the back of our minds we always wanted to return to India one day. Eventually, we decided to sell our possessions and move our small family to India.”“We were scared, but something kept telling us that everything would be all right. We had to learn many new things—speaking a new language, cooking new food, and navigating a different culture. We made friends and started our own business here. Our third daughter was born in Delhi, and we were very happy, but we still felt our family was not complete. We had always dreamed of adopting and helping a child in need. Nearly two years ago, we said yes to a beautiful two-year-old girl. Despite her special needs, we fell deeply in love with her and could not be happier. She underwent surgery, and now, with the help of prosthetic devices, she is learning to walk normally.”Kristen is an avid traveller. She, on a regular basis, shares her travel stories on social media. Her posts offer glimpses into the places she explores and the experiences that shape her life in India. She often shares detailed travel stories, cultural observations, and interesting experiences she encounters here. In one of her Instagram posts, she listed the many cities she visited in 2025, underscoring how travel continues to be a significant part of her life. Her earlier posts also consistently reflect a deep curiosity about new places and a genuine love for discovering different cultures.
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