An Indian lawyer's candid reflections on her work experience have ignited widespread discussion about the contrasting work cultures of India and Europe. After moving to Europe six months ago, Radhika Roy took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express her growing resentment toward India’s demanding work environment. Her post, which quickly went viral, struck a chord with many who feel similarly about the long hours and lack of personal time prevalent among Indian workers.
"Have been in Europe for 6 months now & have started building up a resentment toward work culture in India. You work past 12 AM on a daily basis, only to earn peanuts and to not be respected as an individual. You have no time for yourself. How have we been living like this?" Roy posted, articulately summing up the frustrations of countless Indian professionals. This heartfelt proclamation resonates with those who share experiences of burnout and relentless working schedules.
While many echoed her frustrations, others were quick to point out the variability of work conditions based on industry, employer, and personal choices. One user responded, "I work with European bosses. They take work just as a small part of their life and expect us to do the same in India too, which is risky considering other teams around who think I’m never working," reflecting the nuanced dynamics of international workplaces.
Roy continued her discourse, emphasizing the broader quality of life issues she observed during her time abroad. "I see what life could have been in India if we just had cleaner air, safer roads, just access to basic amenities. I’d take safety over Blinkit/Zomato any day," she noted, transitioning from work culture complaints to advocating for improved living conditions.
Her statements generated both support and skepticism online, with some users asserting, "Not everyone in India works past 12 AM, and not everyone in Europe works 40 hours a week," highlighting the rich diversity of work experiences across both regions. Meanwhile, critiques surfaced around the treatment of outsourced Indian workers by international companies. An anonymous user commented, "I'm based in the UK. I have worked with outsourcers in India, and I have been horrified at the way Indian employees are treated," opening up another layer of discourse on the ethics of global labor practices.
The exchanges sparked by Roy's post have reignited debates about work-life balance and employee well-being, most particularly how industrial and cultural expectations can shape individual experiences. Commenters pointed to the ingrained hustle culture they feel compels many Indians to prioritize work at the expense of personal health and happiness. One individual, who lived overseas, remarked, "Developing vs developed. It’s all about the numbers. We are on survival mode here always. Elsewhere, people get to live," portraying stark distinctions between life expectations based on geographical and economic factors.
The online debate is reflective of larger societal conversations around work practices, especially as many professionals find themselves juggling increased expectations with personal priorities. Some defended Roy, claiming her frustrations resonate deeply with countless other Indian workers, particularly those engaged tirelessly within the country's competitive job markets.
Conversely, detractors of Roy’s viewpoint emphasized the need for more nuanced comparisons. One user elaborated, "That depends on the team, place and your experience. While I was in the UK/US, I did work weekends and long hours at the start same as India. But as I gained experience, I didn’t have to. Overall, I worked fewer overtime hours in India than I did abroad," demonstrating how individual circumstances can vary greatly even within the same industry.
The discussion has grown beyond mere professional dissatisfaction, as it taps deeply not just on work culture but boiling down to fundamental societal structures and priorities. Many users shared their accounts of life after moving to developed nations, perpetuating the sentiment of culture shock experienced by many Indian professionals who have worked abroad.
One comment from Australia encapsulated this sentiment well: "When you step out, you realize how deeply ingrained the hustle mindset is back home. it’s not just about work; it’s how the whole system runs." This sense of ingrained hustle culture speaks volumes about the pressures faced by many who work within Indian contexts.
Yet, Roy's posts highlight the need for social reform and cultural change moving forward, particularly concerning employee treatment and work expectations. While some advocates push for systemic changes to create healthier work environments, others caution against oversimplification of what it means to compare two distinct cultural work ethic systems.
Overall, this renewed focus on work culture, propelled by Roy’s impassioned social media posts, is more than just grievance; it serves as an urgent call for reflection—advocates for improvement, debate over global labor standards, and the collective search for balance between productivity and personal fulfillment. Whether this discourse leads to tangible change remains to be seen, but it undeniably speaks to the heart of what many contemporary workers fight for today: respect, quality of life, and the right to live beyond work.