Indian Work Culture: Indian woman in UK compares work-life balance with India: ‘All we do is wait for the weekend’
The 9-to-5 routine is often described as a fixed working schedule, but for many employees, the day does not really feel over when office hours end. What happens after work can shape how much time people have for the rest of their lives, from family and health to simple moments of relaxation.This question has sparked a fresh conversation online after Indian woman Anushka Vyas, who lives in the UK, shared a video comparing the lifestyle she sees there with her experience of work culture in India. Her post focused on what an ordinary weekday evening can look like and why she feels quality of life deserves more attention.
A simple evening becomes the focus
Vyas shared a video from a park near her home at around 5.30 pm on a Thursday. She pointed out that the day was neither a weekend nor a public holiday.In the video, she spoke about seeing people use their evenings for activities outside work. She mentioned spending time with family, going for picnics by the lake, and focusing on health and fitness.Vyas said, “So let me show you what actually living life looks like. This is a normal park near my house in the UK, and it’s Thursday, 5:30 in the evening. Today is not a weekend or a holiday; this is just a part of the lifestyle for people here. People finish their 9-to-5 work quickly and make sure to spend quality time with their families every day, have picnics by the lake, and actually focus on their health and fitness.”ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.The video featured the text “Reality of 9-to-5 of UK vs India,” while its caption read, “India ke liye this 9-5 is AI.”
What she says about India’s work routine
Vyas then spoke about why she believes having a similar evening after a 9-to-5 job can be difficult in India.She referred to the time employees may spend leaving the office and travelling through traffic. She also mentioned situations where additional work from the boss can extend the working day.She said, “And in India, imagining all this after 9-to-5 every single day is impossible, because after 9-to-5, getting out of the office, struggling through traffic, sometimes the boss gives you extra work, sometimes something else – by the time you reach home, literally the whole day has passed, and all we do is wait for the weekend.”
Her point about weekends
Vyas also questioned whether the weekend always provides enough time to recover from the working week.She said, “And when the weekend comes, we are so exhausted that we can’t even recover ourselves, let alone give quality time to family – we can’t even focus on our own fitness and health.”Her comments brought the conversation back to the amount of energy people have left for themselves after a demanding workweek.
Why she links it to quality of life
For Vyas, the discussion is also connected to why some Indians choose to settle outside the country.She said, “That’s why so many Indians are settling down here outside, because along with money and work, the quality of life is also important here. Here, apart from work, you have the right to live life on your own terms. That’s why people here stay so healthy, happy, and satisfied.”Her message was that employment and income are not the only factors people consider when thinking about life abroad. She placed equal importance on having time for family, health, and life outside work.
Social media users weigh in
The post received several comments from viewers discussing the difference in work-life balance.One user wrote, “This work-life balance looks unreal.”Another commented, “Quality of life matters so much.”A third user said, “Indian work culture needs this shift.”Another viewer wrote, “Peace after work is a luxury here.”The comments showed that Vyas’ comparison touched on a familiar workplace discussion, particularly around how much personal time remains once the working day is over.Disclaimer: This article is based on information available at the time of publication. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Times of India.Thumb image: Instagram
