A candid social media post by an Indian law student has set off a wave of reactions, igniting a heated conversation about work culture and quality of life in India. After spending six months in Europe, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her frustration over the stark differences she experienced, sparking both support and criticism.
“Have been in Europe for 6 months now & have started building up a resentment towards work culture in India. You work past 12AM on a daily basis, only to earn peanuts & to not be respected as an individual. You have no time for yourself. How have we been living like this?” she wrote, striking a chord with many who echoed similar frustrations about long working hours and the lack of personal time in India.
Her post quickly went viral, with several users sharing their own experiences. Some agreed wholeheartedly, recounting stories of burnout and relentless schedules. However, not everyone was on the same page. Critics argued that work conditions vary widely depending on the industry, employer, and personal career choices.
In a follow-up post, the law student acknowledged that Europe isn’t without its flaws but emphasized the stark contrast in basic living conditions. “I see what life could have been in India if we just had cleaner air, safer roads, just better access to basic facilities. I’d take that over Blinkit/Zomato any day,” she noted, shifting the discussion beyond work culture to broader quality-of-life issues such as pollution, road safety, and public services.
The post resonated particularly with those who have lived abroad and returned to India, sparking a broader debate about lifestyle expectations. Some users supported her views, while others felt her generalizations didn’t capture the full picture. “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,” one user pointed out, highlighting the complex dynamics of global work environments.
Responding to the mixed reactions, the lawyer shared her personal observations: “To be honest, I’ve found people to be generally kinder, helpful, and more approachable here than back in Delhi. I also like the fact that I don’t have to constantly be on guard when I interact with anyone.”
However, not all responses were sympathetic. Some users pushed back, stating, “Not everyone in India works past 12 AM and not everyone in Europe works 40 hours a week,” underscoring the diversity of work experiences in both regions. Others drew attention to the treatment of outsourced employees in India. “I’m based in the UK. I have worked with outsourcers in India, and I have been horrified at the way that Indian employees are treated,” one comment read.
The debate has reignited discussions around work-life balance and employee well-being in India. While some argue for systemic changes to promote healthier work environments, others believe that comparing two vastly different economies and cultures oversimplifies the issue.Â