Indian Woman Highlights Surprising German Workplace Habits for Indian Professionals
‘Strongest argument wins’: Indian woman shares 15 German workplace habits that surprise Indians

Image: Hindustan Times
Simran Khokha, an Indian Product Manager in Germany, shares 15 surprising workplace habits that challenge the hierarchical norms familiar to Indian professionals. Key differences include direct communication, respect for time, and the separation of personal relationships from professional disagreements.
- 01In German offices, disagreements do not affect personal relationships, allowing for open discussions.
- 02Working late is not seen as a badge of honor; it may indicate poor planning.
- 03Meetings are often scrutinized for their necessity, with a preference for emails.
- 04Junior employees are encouraged to challenge senior leaders based on data rather than hierarchy.
- 05Direct communication is valued, with refusals stated clearly without excessive politeness.
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Simran Khokha, a Product Manager based in Germany, has shared insights on workplace habits that often surprise Indian professionals transitioning to German corporate culture. In her Instagram post, she emphasizes that in German offices, managers may reject ideas during meetings yet maintain cordial relationships, highlighting a clear separation between professional disagreements and personal feelings. Khokha notes that working late is not admired; instead, it may raise concerns about time management. She points out that meetings are frequently evaluated for their necessity, with many replaced by emails. Additionally, junior employees are encouraged to present data-driven arguments that can challenge senior leaders, as the strongest argument prevails over titles. Other notable habits include a commitment to direct communication, where a simple 'no' suffices, and a strong respect for personal boundaries, including the separation of work and personal social media connections. Social media reactions have echoed her observations, with many users affirming the emphasis on punctuality and clarity in German workplaces.
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The insights shared can help Indian professionals adapt to the German workplace, improving their integration and effectiveness in a new cultural environment.
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