Indian woman working in Germany reveals 15 office habits that surprise professionals from India

An Indian professional working in Germany has highlighted several workplace practices that she says often surprise employees relocating from India, pointing to notable differences in office culture, communication styles and professional expectations.

Simran Khokha, a Product Manager based in Germany, outlined the observations in an Instagram post. She said many of the workplace norms can feel unfamiliar to professionals accustomed to more hierarchical and relationship-oriented office environments in India.

In the caption accompanying the post, Khokha said these were office habits that continue to surprise many professionals moving from India to Germany.

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Direct communication and data-driven discussions

According to Khokha, disagreements in German workplaces are often separated from personal relationships. She noted that a manager may reject an idea during a meeting and still interact cordially with the employee shortly afterwards.

She also observed that working long hours is not necessarily viewed as a sign of dedication. In some teams, claims of working until midnight may instead prompt questions about planning and prioritisation.

Khokha said meetings are expected to have a clear purpose, with employees sometimes openly questioning the need for a meeting if the matter could be resolved through email. She added that junior staff frequently challenge senior leaders using data, with the strength of an argument often carrying more weight than job titles.

Respect for boundaries and documentation

The Product Manager noted that direct refusals are common, with employees often viewing "no" as a complete answer. She also said personal calendars are generally respected, and colleagues may seek permission before scheduling time.

Documentation, she added, is often prioritised over verbal discussions, with written records serving as an important reference point for teams. Employees also commonly block dedicated focus time in their calendars and are expected to protect it.

Khokha further observed that many professionals keep personal and professional lives separate, with colleagues often choosing not to connect on personal social media platforms even after years of working together.

Expertise and accountability valued

According to the post, influence in German workplaces is frequently linked to expertise rather than visibility, meaning quieter employees may hold significant sway within organisations.

She also noted that meetings tend to end when scheduled, without extended informal discussions afterwards. Managers acknowledging that a topic falls outside their area of expertise is often viewed as professionalism rather than weakness.

Khokha said teams may spend considerable time discussing decisions before moving quickly once consensus is reached. Clear ownership of tasks is also considered important, as responsibilities shared by everyone can sometimes be viewed as belonging to no one.

Interview expectations

The post also highlighted hiring practices, with Khokha stating that candidates who ask thoughtful questions about strategy, processes and organisational challenges can leave a stronger impression than those who focus solely on discussing themselves.

She described these workplace behaviours as aspects of professional life that are rarely covered in relocation guides but become evident after working in Germany.