An Indian woman living in Australia shared on social media a list of five things that are perceived there as everyday matters but greatly surprised her as someone from India.
Deepa Shah noted that shops close at 17:00 — and that really means closed. Unlike Indian cities, where trade often goes on late into the evening, on a Saturday evening after six it can be hard to find an open shop.
Another point was mounted police officers in the city centre. "You're walking through the CBD, going about your business, and suddenly you see a police officer on a horse. Here it's normal, but it still amazes me," she wrote.
Shah gave particular attention to the culture of addressing people by their first name. Neither "madam" nor "sir," nor the traditional "auntie" or "uncle." Your boss is Sarah, your teacher is James, your doctor is Michael. Everyone is on first-name terms from the very start.
The fourth point was the attitude to working hours. People leave work exactly on schedule, and staying late is not considered a sign of dedication. "People value personal time, family and weekends. Work-life balance really is a priority here," she emphasised.
The list is rounded off by the quality of public parks: free barbecues, clean toilets, walking trails, playgrounds and picnic areas — all of it accessible and well maintained.
Shah's post quickly gained popularity: many Australians and expats recognised their everyday life in what she described, while Indian users saw a contrast with the reality they are used to. What if such simple rules could change attitudes to work and rest in other countries?
Shah's story is not just a list of observations. It shows how cultural habits shape a sense of what is "normal." What seems self-evident in one place becomes a revelation in another.
