'No handholding, no chai pe charcha': India techie who shifted to NYC lists 5 work culture differences between India and US
working in New York City
, recently shared her personal experiences about adapting to corporate life in the United States. Currently serving as a product marketing lead at a prominent e-commerce firm, she detailed her journey through an Instagram Reel, where she opened up about the unexpected challenges she faced despite retaining the same job title.
Varsha had spent seven years in the Indian corporate ecosystem before relocating to the United States with her current employer. Although she anticipated a smooth transition, the cultural shift turned out to be more intense than she had imagined. Despite holding the same role, operating in a different country brought with it a wave of unfamiliar social and professional dynamics that took time to adjust to.
Solo Mealtimes and Less Socializing
One of the initial surprises she encountered was how lunch culture differed dramatically. Unlike in India, where team lunches and group breaks are routine, she noticed that most professionals in the U.S. tend to have lunch alone—either at their desks or while taking a walk. Informal group breaks simply weren't part of the norm.
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Formality and Silence Replace Chatter
Another major shift Varsha observed was the formal nature of workplace communication. Gone were the impromptu 'chai breaks' and spontaneous desk visits for casual chats. Conversations with colleagues now needed to be pre-scheduled, often several weeks in advance. The office atmosphere felt quieter and more reserved.
Independence Is a Must
She also pointed out that the U.S. corporate environment demands greater independence. In India, managers and peers are often more hands-on, regularly checking in and offering guidance. In contrast, American workplaces typically expect employees to navigate problems and tasks on their own.
"You have to be way more self-reliant. In India, there's often more handholding, more people checking in. Here, you're expected to figure things out on your own.." she wrote.
Surface-Level Conversations, Limited Bonds
While small talk is common, Varsha found that forming meaningful relationships in the workplace was rare. There is a clear distinction between personal and professional spheres, which can make it harder to build close connections in the beginning.
Work-Life Boundaries Are Strongly Maintained
Despite these challenges, she appreciated the respect for personal time in the U.S. Once the workday ends, most employees truly disconnect, allowing for better work-life balance.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Varsha graduated from BITS Mesra. She acknowledged that adjusting emotionally to a new work culture abroad is tough—but reassured others in similar situations that the process does get smoother, gradually, one quiet lunch and pre-scheduled coffee meeting at a time.
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