An Indian IT professional, Jyoti, shared her surprising first-day experiences at an Italian office, highlighting significant cultural differences. She noted a flat hierarchy where colleagues used nicknames instead of formal titles, and managers insisted on paying for coffee breaks. Work hours were flexible, emphasizing task completion over strict clocking, with breaks dedicated to personal connection rather than work discussions. The office emptied by 6 PM, with after-hours contact discouraged, fostering a strong work-life balance that many found appealing.