Same age, same job, different struggles: Delhi woman’s viral post comparing life with European peer sparks debate
Same age, same job, different struggles: Delhi woman’s viral post comparing life with European peer sparks debate
We often scroll through social media, viewing seemingly perfect lives from around the world. However, what lies behind these curated feeds? One of the most notable platforms for such discussions is Reddit, where people share their workplace experiences, seek advice or simply vent. Recently, a 28-year-old woman’s recent post contrasting her life in Delhi with that of her European counterparts has gone viral, providing a raw and honest look into the stark differences between these two worlds. Her candid post has sparked an intense online debate, with users grappling over the realities of gender, safety, and opportunity in different parts of the globe.
“The life of a 28y old woman in Delhi vs 28y old woman in Europe,” the Reddit user wrote. “I work in a small global team and a teammate of mine works in a Scandinavian country. I see a lot of similarities between me and her. We both are the same age and commute 1.5 hr daily in trains from our homes. Except her commute is direct with a reserved seat, comfortable enough to start her work on the train and mine includes 2 interchanges and zero guarantee of a seat,” she included.
The Reddit user and her colleague both live far from work, but their reasons are different. The colleague chooses to live in a peaceful area, while the Reddit user has a different motivation for living further away from home.
The life of a 28y old woman in Delhi vs 28y old woman in Europe
byu/handlewithcareb indelhi
“I live far away because I can’t afford to live separately from my parents even though we work in the same position,” she posted.
Safety aspect:
“She’s leaving early today because she needs to focus on work from the comfort of her home. Coincidentally, I’m also leaving early today but my reason is unsafe Delhi around Holi,” the Reddit user persisted.
Although her post received a lot of support, it also drew some negative comments. In response to these, the employee explained, “For people downvoting, it’s not a pro-West or anti-India post. It’s just the truth of my life and the lives of millions of Delhi people.”
How did the internet react?
One user commented, “In most of the metrics, a Scandinavian life would be superior to an Indian one.”
Another user, who could relate to the original post, said, “This is a very beautifully written op! I work in Mumbai and my teammates work from New York, I also sometimes wonder how our lives are the same and yet so different.”
Two people commented on the post. The first one said, “This is a real and honest thought. Same age, same job, but such different lives. She chooses peace, you deal with safety and money issues.”
The third comment stated, “This is why I left my plum PPO at a MBB in Gurgaon post MBA to join a pharma company in Germany. I know people here are trying to invalidate your feelings but as a woman I totally understand. I felt the difference most when for the first time in my life I was not rushing to my home (almost running) at 9 pm from the bus stop in Germany. As a woman, no feeling can match the feeling of safety and the independence that comes with it. Indians are the poster child of ‘delulu in the only solulu,’ as evident from comments. I hope you get to move to a European country soon.”
The fourth comment said, “Not to forget she breathes cleaner air, enjoys more personal liberty and feels more safe. She is also probably paid better as opposed to the wide gender pay gap in India.”
