Social media often turns everyday experiences into larger conversations, and this time, the spotlight is on life inside Indian offices. A post by an NRI about adjusting to work culture after returning to India has caught the attention of professionals across the internet. Instead of talking about salaries or job titles, the discussion revolves around everyday office experiences that many people say are surprisingly familiar.The post has triggered hundreds of reactions, with several users saying they have faced similar situations at work. Others shared their own experiences of returning to India after working overseas, adding to the growing discussion in the comments section.
What the NRI said about working in India
The viral post was shared by Instagram user Nupur Dave, who listed what she described as the “top problems you’re going to face as an NRI in Indian work culture.”According to her, one common challenge is meetings getting cancelled or postponed at the last moment, especially for people who are not in decision-making positions. Sharing her own experience, she wrote, “Yesterday, three of my four partnership calls got rescheduled a few minutes before.”She also advised professionals to “be ready to wait,” saying that meetings often start late because earlier discussions continue longer than expected. In her view, waiting for several minutes, or sometimes even an hour, can become a regular part of the workday.
Her views on office dynamics
Dave also shared her observations about workplace behaviour. She claimed that “sucking up is normal here,” saying some leaders prefer hiring people they personally like or employees who tend to agree with them.At the same time, she clarified that she was not defending the practice. According to her, organizations already deal with enough challenges, and some managers may simply find it easier to work with agreeable teams. She wrote, “I’m not defending it. It’s just one possible reason.”
Comments on time, note-taking, and feedback
Another point she raised was the pace of work. Describing her experience, she wrote, “Time moves differently in India. The sense of urgency is spread over time, which means people culturally have time for a one hour lunch, a 5 pm chai break, and work spilling over to the next day. Like it or not, it’s chill, but will you like it? I’m not sure.”She also claimed that note-taking is often overlooked, adding that designers sometimes make changes without documenting them.According to Dave, constructive feedback is also not always received positively, with people sometimes becoming defensive instead of accepting it.She ended her post by inviting people to “set up a meeting with me for more clarity.”
Internet users say they have seen the same things
The post received several comments from users who felt her observations reflected their own experiences.One user wrote, “I feel working hours in India aren’t clearly defined. We work day and night, and sometimes there’s no separation between personal time and work. I’ve seen many of my friends go through this.”Another commented, “Accurate! I worked abroad for 12 years and have been in India for the last 5.5 years. The challenges you’ve outlined are on point.”A third person shared, “I tried to set up a manufacturing unit in India. Between bureaucracy, chai paani money, a lack of value for time, and many other issues, I moved my setup to Thailand. It was the best decision. By the way, I’m a fourth generation NRI who loves India for its culture, food, and vibes. I hope things become faster.”Another user added, “What I’ve observed is that people are only concerned about their own time. They don’t value other people’s time. If they need something, they’ll schedule a meeting at odd hours without thinking twice about whether you’re busy or already have other plans.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a post shared on Instagram and reflects the opinions and experiences expressed by the user. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims or observations made in the post. Individual experiences may vary. Thumb image: Instagram
