Indian woman shares 5 things that surprised her about US office culture in viral video

India Today

19 hours ago

An Indian professional working in New York listed five unexpected aspects of American work culture that took her by surprise. Her honest take, documented in the caption of a video post, has since gone viral.Varsha, a product marketing lead at Amazon, moved from India to the United States after spending seven years in the same company back home. Although her role remained unchanged, adapting to a different work environment in the US wasn't as smooth as she expected.advertisement'After 7 years of working in India, I moved to the US with the same company, but the shift hit me harder than I expected,' she said in the caption of the video she shared on Instagram.
In the video caption, Varsha opened up about the cultural differences between Indian and American offices and listed five things that surprised her the most.'Same job role, new country, but feels like a whole new world,' she said.Lunchtime solitude. 'Lunches are mostly solo. People eat at their desks or take a walk, social lunch breaks aren't really a thing,' she said.Next came the silence. Offices in the US, according to Varsha, are much quieter. 'No chai pe charcha. No stopping by someone's desk to vent or laugh. Coffee chats have to be scheduled—often weeks ahead,' she said, hinting at the formal atmosphere.She also stressed how employees are expected to be far 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 said.The fourth point she raised was about emotional isolation. She said small talk exists, but deeper bonds are rare. 'People tend to keep work and life separate, which can feel isolating at first.'However, she ended her post on a positive note. 'Boundaries are beautifully respected. When people log off, they really log off,' she wrote, appreciating the work-life balance her new workplace offers.She also offered a word of reassurance to those navigating similar experiences. 'Nobody really prepares you for the emotional shift of working abroad, but if you're in the middle of it: you're not alone. It does get easier. You just start finding your rhythm, one lonely lunch and awkward coffee chat at a time.'Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varsha | New York City (@newgirl_in_newyorkcity)Social media users found her post relatable. 'I agree with everything you've put in the caption. It was such a shock to me initially. I miss the chai pe charcha,' a user wrote.Another user added, 'Maybe it's different for your team! I have teammates from different countries and we eat together almost every day!'A section of the internet shared advice and encouragement. 'Def fight for your lunch breaks! Go meet up with outside friends for lunch if you have time,' one user said.'Slowly and surely, you will get used to it and even start liking it! I did when I used to work in the US,' another user wrote.See the comments here:advertisementFrom solo lunches to structured coffee chats, Varsha's post summed up the unspoken realities of corporate life abroad, earning her a virtual nod of agreement from many who've felt the same shift.- Ends