A Russian woman’s social media post comparing Indian office culture with foreign workplaces has gone viral. Yulia, a content creator who has lived in India for 12 years, shared her observations on Instagram. Her post, titled “Things considered normal in Indian offices but not abroad,” struck a chord with thousands of people online.
Yulia’s First Impressions in India
Yulia recalled how she was surprised when colleagues in India showed personal care in the office.
“When I started my career in India 12 years ago, I was amazed when my colleagues used to care and ask me if I had my breakfast, tea/coffee, and lunch,” she wrote. She described this as a “super sweet and welcoming restart” to her career.
Indian Work Habits That Surprised Her
Yulia noticed that employees rarely left before their seniors. She also highlighted how answering work calls late at night seemed normal. She observed that Indians were hardworking, but the work style often carried “loads of pressure.”
“They compete with teammates from different departments. And I feel that it comes from a highly competitive environment and lots of young talent in the country,” she explained.
Long Commutes and Family Responsibilities
The Russian creator pointed out that many Indians spend hours commuting to work. She also mentioned that people often avoid saying a direct ‘no’ in conversations.
According to Yulia, this work-driven lifestyle creates an imbalance.
“Living for work, vs working for a good life. Many young, ambitious talents do carry responsibilities for the whole family (and not only ma and pa, as well as other relatives). Obviously, it adds lots of pressure that leads to focus ONLY on work,” she added.
Mixed Reactions From Indians Online
As her post went viral, many Indians agreed with her observations. Social media users pointed out that these habits reflect both cultural warmth and unhealthy work practices.
“Mostly correct observations,” wrote one user. Another added, “As an Indian, I don’t like the work culture. Managers are too involved in personal matters. No privacy. Fully partial. Even the entitled holidays cannot be used.”
A third user commented, “That’s a sharp observation. I do enjoy the festival celebrations. When you over work, these are few days that helps you to balance that frustration.”
Yulia’s Life in India
Yulia first came to India in 2012 for a five-month internship. She later returned to buy an elephant for a circus and decided to stay. Over time, she raised a family and built her business in India. Her honest take on Indian workplaces has now sparked a wider debate on corporate culture in the country.
