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Work in India vs. the U.S.? Amazon lead spells it out
In the U.S., she noted, people “log off” after work and protect personal time, a boundary often blurred in Indian work culture.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 18, Jul 2025
- 15:25 EDT
- 24
Varsha / Instagram (@newgirl_in_newyorkcity)
An Indian-origin product marketing lead at Amazon in New York City drawn attention online after sharing five striking differences she experienced while transitioning from India to work in the United States.
In an Instagram post reflecting on her move after seven years of working in India, Varsha wrote, “Same job role, new country, but feels like a whole new world.” Despite remaining with the same company, she noted the shift “hit harder than I expected.”
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Among the key differences she observed, Varsha pointed out that lunch breaks in the U.S. are mostly solitary affairs, with employees often eating at their desks or taking walks—unlike the more social lunch culture in Indian offices. “Social lunch breaks aren't really a thing,” she wrote.
She also highlighted the formal and quiet nature of U.S. workplaces, where casual desk-side conversations are rare and even coffee chats require advance scheduling.
Another major contrast was the expectation of self-reliance in American corporate settings. “In India, there’s often more handholding, more people checking in,” she said, whereas U.S. colleagues are expected to figure things out independently.
Varsha admitted to feeling isolated at first due to the clear separation of professional and personal life, where small talk seldom deepens into meaningful conversation.
However, she acknowledged a positive shift in work-life balance. In the U.S., she noted, people “log off” after work and protect personal time, a boundary often blurred in Indian work culture.
“Nobody really prepares you for the emotional shift of working abroad—but if you’re in the middle of it: you’re not alone,” she concluded, encouraging others navigating similar transitions.
The post drew varied reactions, with some echoing her sentiments and others pointing out differences across teams. One commenter remarked, “I agree with everything… I miss the chai pe charcha,” while another added, “Slowly and surely you will get used to it and even start liking it!”
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