Went for a hike, saw sunset, felt free: Bengaluru woman compares US vs India work culture

In today’s corporate world, hustle culture has become deeply embedded in professional life, glorifying long working hours, constant productivity, overtime, and skipped vacations. From answering late-night emails to celebrating burnout as ambition, workplace culture increasingly equates success with exhaustion. Employees often wear overwork as a badge of honor, while work-life balance takes a backseat. This relentless grind has led to chronic stress and mental fatigue. On the contrary, countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden prioritise shorter workweeks, employee well-being, and healthier work-life balance, proving productivity does not always require burnout.

Along similar lines, a Bengaluru-based woman named Sakshi recently posted a video on Instagram comparing the stark differences in work culture between India and the US. In the clip, Sakshi reflected on her experience during a recent work trip to the US.

India vs US work culture

She revealed that after arriving at the office around 9:30 or 10:00 am, she was surprised to find the entire floor empty by 4:30 pm. By 5:00 pm, she too had left work, influenced by the workplace environment around her. What stood out most to her was the unfamiliar sense of genuine freedom after office hours.

Sakshi shared that, for perhaps the first time in a long while, she had enough personal time after work to go on a hike, watch the sunset, and truly appreciate having hours to herself. She contrasted this with her routine in India, where her workday typically begins around 9:00 am and stretches late into the night, often with meetings continuing until 10:00 pm. In such a demanding schedule, she explained, even basic personal activities like cooking dinner, going for a walk, or simply unwinding become nearly impossible.

Internet reacts to India vs US work debate

Sakshi’s candid comparison resonated widely on social media, quickly striking a chord with professionals who related to the pressures of India’s hustle-driven corporate environment. Many users agreed that in several Indian workplaces, staying late is often perceived as a marker of dedication and efficiency, even when it significantly impacts mental health and personal well-being.

Others highlighted how this culture of overwork sharply contrasts with what they perceive to be a more balanced and outcome-focused professional environment in many US companies, where productivity is not necessarily measured by hours spent at a desk.