Moving to another country can change your sense of what is ordinary. A routine that feels familiar in India may look very different after spending time somewhere else. Often, it is these small observations that reveal how differently people live and work.Disha Shah, an Indian woman living in Australia, recently shared five things that surprised her after moving there. She described them as “completely normal” in Australia but said they had “genuinely shocked” her as an Indian.Her Instagram post has since prompted users to share their own observations in the comments.
Shops close by 5 pm
Shah said shop timings were one of the things she had to get used to.According to her, shops can close at 5 pm and follow that closing time strictly. She added that finding a store open at 6 pm on a Saturday can be difficult.
Police officers on horseback
Another sight that still surprises Shah is mounted police in city centres.“You’re walking through the CBD, minding your own business, and suddenly there’s a police officer riding a horse. Completely normal here… but it still shocks me every time!” Shah wrote.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.
First names are common
Shah also pointed to the way people address one another.“No ma’am. No sir. No aunty or uncle,” she wrote.She said people can use first names when speaking to their boss, teacher or doctor. Her examples included Sarah as a boss, James as a teacher and Michael as a doctor.
Leaving work on time
Shah’s observations also touched on office culture.She said staying late is not treated as a “badge of honor.”“People value their personal time, family, and weekends. Work-life balance is genuinely a priority here!” she said.
Public parks and amenities
The final point on her list was public spaces.Shah mentioned free BBQ facilities, clean public toilets, walking tracks, playgrounds and picnic spots. She said many of these facilities are free and well maintained.
Users share their reactions
The post also drew comments from users with their own views.“Imagine being surprised by clean public parks and amenities.”“And, employees are respected more and mental health is a genuine priority at work,” commented another.“No spitting or peeing in public, no Tobacco stains , higher levels of civics responsibility. If you are comparing it to India the list is very long,” wrote a third user.Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on a social media post. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims made in the post.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)
