United States & India

Working Hours

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Varies significantly by coast—East Coast starts 3 hours earlier than West Coast. Many tech companies have flexible hours.

Lunch Break

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

30-60 minutes, often eaten at desk or during meetings

Business Etiquette

• •Direct communication style is preferred—get to the point quickly
• •Punctuality is highly valued; being late is seen as disrespectful
• •First names are commonly used even with senior colleagues
• •Email and Slack are primary communication channels
• •Work-life boundaries are increasingly respected, especially post-pandemic

Major Holidays

• Thanksgiving — Late November (4th Thursday)
• Independence Day — July 4
• Christmas-New Year — December 24 - January 1
• Memorial Day — Last Monday of May
• Labor Day — First Monday of September

Communication Style

Direct and results-oriented. Americans value efficiency and clear action items from meetings.

Meeting Culture

Agendas are expected, discussions are time-boxed. Video calls have become standard. Meetings often start with brief small talk.

Working Hours

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

India has a single timezone (IST) despite its size. Tech companies often have flexible hours to accommodate US clients.

Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

45-60 minutes, often a proper sit-down meal

Business Etiquette

• •Hierarchical respect is important—address seniors with appropriate titles
• •Indirect communication is common; read between the lines
• •Building personal relationships precedes business discussions
• •Saying "no" directly is often avoided; watch for soft declines
• •Flexibility with time is common; schedules may shift

Major Holidays

• Diwali — October/November (varies)
• Holi — March (varies)
• Republic Day — January 26
• Independence Day — August 15
• Eid — Varies by lunar calendar

Communication Style

Relationship-focused and context-heavy. Indians often prefer to establish rapport before diving into business matters.

Meeting Culture

Meetings may start with personal inquiries. Decisions often involve multiple stakeholders. Follow-up discussions are common before final commitments.