Working While Honeymooning
When Pooja Shah, 33, was working as a lawyer in New York, she used some of her paid time off for a weeklong trip to the Maldives shortly after marrying Priesh Mistry, 33, in March 2022.
Her work phone went with them.
Ms. Shah's colleagues encouraged her to disconnect, but she felt guilty doing so, especially because the firm she worked for was about to merge with another one. Instead of relaxing at the pool, Ms. Shah spent much of her honeymoon looking at saved emails and taking notes. She spent hours brainstorming action items and crafting to-do lists to tackle upon her return, because she couldn't connect to the internet in real time.
'I was in a completely different mind space when it came to work and ambition,' she said, adding that she felt she 'could do so much more.''
Her new husband was, according to Ms. Shah, 'very irritated.'
During a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, or one that was intended to be, at least, Ms. Shah's work phone pinged with a notification. Mr. Mistry told her, ''If you want to have dinner with your phone, then I can leave,'' she recalled.
'At the time I was like, 'Oh my gosh, you're being so dramatic,'' she said. But hindsight is 20/20. 'I get it, she said. 'I was definitely obsessed.'
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Airbnb forecasts Q3 revenue above estimates; plans $6 billion share buyback
By Aishwarya Jain and Doyinsola Oladipo (Reuters) -Airbnb forecast third-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates on Wednesday and announced a new share repurchase program worth $6 billion, sending the vacation rentals company's shares up 3.4% after the bell. Growth of nights booked in the U.S. accelerated each month throughout the quarter ended June, driven by a rise in domestic travel, San Francisco-based Airbnb said, adding that it was encouraged by the trend for the current quarter. Several travel firms, like United Airlines and Wyndham Hotels, saw a recovery in U.S. travel demand after a slowdown in April, when consumers initially pulled back spending due to President Donald Trump's shifting trade policy. Airbnb's average daily rates, or the average cost per night, in North America rose 3% in the quarter, driven by strong demand for higher-priced listings. This trend is consistent with other travel companies, including hotel operator Marriott, where bookings for upscale properties and premium offerings helped offset weak demand in the budget segment. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, ADR in the second quarter increased 1% and was up across all regions, largely due to price appreciation, the company said. Nights and seats booked, an updated metric which includes the number of services booked on Airbnb's platform rose 7% in the second quarter, while gross booking value increased 11% to $23.5 billion. "We had a strong Q2, exceeding expectations across our key metrics," CEO Brian Chesky said in a statement. The company reported quarterly revenue of $3.10 billion, compared with analysts' estimates of $3.04 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Airbnb expects third quarter revenue between $4.02 billion to $4.10 billion, the midpoint of which was higher than analysts' average estimate of $4.05 billion. However, the company cautioned that despite stronger night bookings in North America, growth could moderate given tougher year-over-year comparisons in the third and fourth quarters. It expects the implied take rate, or the ratio of revenue to gross bookings, to remain flat in the third quarter. The travel company posted a per-share profit of $1.03, compared with Wall Street estimates of 93 cents. Sign in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
29 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Virgin Galactic to Delay First Spaceplane Flight to Fall 2026
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. is delaying the first commercial flight of its upgraded Delta space vehicle from summer to the fall months of 2026. The Richard Branson-founded company plans to resume private space tourism trips in the autumn after the Delta spacecraft's first operational flight, which will be a research mission and also occur in the fall.
Forbes
29 minutes ago
- Forbes
JKS Restaurants, Famed London Hospitality Group, Expands Stateside
Some of London's most acclaimed Indian food is making its way across the pond. JKS Restaurants announced on Wednesday, August 6 that the group will expand overseas with new outposts of two beloved Britain-born Indian concepts in New York and Las Vegas. This fall, The Ambassadors Clubhouse will open at the new A24 headquarters near Madison Square Park in New York City. Later this year, Gymkhana is set to open at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Founded in 2008 by siblings Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi, JKS operates 35 restaurants internationally — including Gymkhana, Ambassadors Clubhouse, Trishna, Brigadiers, Sabor, Kitchen Table, BiBi, Berenjak, Hoppers and Speedboat Bar. These projects will be their first in North America. 'We have had our sights set on the U.S. for the last ten years, wanting to make our entry with the right brands, in the right cities, at the right moment. Ambassadors Clubhouse and Gymkhana are expressions of who we are and we are excited to connect with a new community of guests," said Karam Sethi comments. "We join the market at a time when the interest in Indian cuisine and culture is growing rapidly, and we look forward to contributing to this momentum by raising greater awareness of regional Indian cuisine.' Once both restaurants are up and running, JKS also plans to launch Gymkhana Fine Foods, a premium range of at-home Indian cooking sauces and marinades, in the U.S. Here's what to expect from JKS' duo of new restaurants opening on each coast: Ambassadors Clubhouse New York Named in honor of the Sethi sibling's grandfather, a former Indian Ambassador, the interiors at Ambassadors Clubhouse will be inspired by his summer house in Dalhousie and the abandoned party mansions of Northern India. Details including carpet patterns, ceiling features, marquetry and inlay details will pay homage to the Ambassador's seasonal residence, aslong with original artwork from Punjabi artists. Punjabi music will play in the dining room for a lively atmosphere while guests enjoy the splendor of a bygone era in Punjab's opulent royal kitchens. To drink, the cocktail program will focus on tequila and mezcal blended with regional ingredients; large-format cocktails designed for tables to share, playful shots, and interactive service. The original Ambassadors Clubhouse opened in Mayfair, London in 2024 at 25 Heddon St. New York's Ambassadors Clubhouse is slated for fall 2025 at 1245 Broadway in Manhattan. Gymkhana Las Vegas This winter, Gymkhana will open at ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Currently the only classic Indian restaurant worldwide to hold two Michelin stars, Gymkhana is known of London's most sought-after dining destinations, by culinary enthusiasts and celebrities including the likes of Dua Lipa and David Beckham. Inspired by private clubs in India, Gymkhana Las Vegas plans to offer another level of exclusivity to the Strip. The Las Vegas menu will feature many of Gymkhana London's signature Indian dishes, broadly focusing on tandoori-grilled specialties, classic curries, fragrant biryanis and chaat-style sharing plates. New dishes exclusive to the Las Vegas location will also be offered. The bar will feature Indian-inspired cocktails, including regional punches served tableside, and an extensive gin and tonic selection. "The culinary landscape of Las Vegas is constantly evolving and with that, MGM Resorts is primed to change and adapt through a forward-thinking lens," said MGM Resorts Chief Content, Hospitality and Development Officer Ari Kastrati. 'We have witnessed Indian cuisine continue to grow in popularity in the United States and as hospitality leaders, along with the JKS family, felt now is the right time to bring Gymkhana to ARIA. We have incredible respect for the brand's culinary excellence and feel the restaurant will perfectly collide with the fun lifestyle experience the Las Vegas guest knows and loves.'
