How one conversation revealed the invisible “geographical dividend” shaping lives across cultures
During a trip to Vietnam, Indian investment professional Manuraaj Garg encountered a retired Swiss corporate lawyer whose reflections on his career left Garg questioning the very meaning of work-life balance. What unfolded in a hotel lobby in Hanoi was more than casual conversation, it was a striking comparison of how different societies define “hectic” and “balanced.”
The Swiss lawyer, now in his late sixties, said he retired at 55, a milestone he described as “quite late.” Recalling his working years, he spoke of days filled with seven to nine hours of office work, occasional evenings stretching beyond 5 p.m., and limited leisure- golf once a week, gym three times, and seven hours of sleep most nights. To him, this routine was “very hectic.” Garg, listening quietly, realized that such a schedule would be considered enviable in India, where long hours, late nights, and minimal holidays are often the norm. In fact, what the Swiss man apologized for as exhausting is marketed in India as “work-life balance.”
The contrast deepened when the lawyer described his retirement. Freed from professional obligations, he doubled his leisure activities, enjoyed longer rest, and travelled extensively- spending nearly four months each year exploring different parts of the world. When he asked Garg about his own holiday, Garg hesitated, then exaggerated the length of his trip. In reality, his break lasted only four nights, a sharp reminder of how limited leisure time is for many Indian professionals.
Reflecting on this encounter, Garg coined the term “geographical dividend.” Unlike financial income, this dividend represents the intangible benefits societies provide- structured systems, unhurried evenings, and the freedom to disconnect from work. For Europeans, it shows up as shorter workdays, longer vacations, and earlier retirements. For many Indians, however, the pursuit of balance remains aspirational, often compromised by demanding schedules and limited breaks.
The conversation highlighted more than cultural differences; it underscored how geography shapes lifestyle expectations. What one society views as burdensome, another sees as ideal. Garg’s experience reminds us that balance is not universal, it is defined by the systems we live in and the dividends our societies choose to pay.
