Woman’s ‘Harsh Reality’ Post Highlights India’s Time Problem: ‘We Normalise Delays & Work On Jugaad, Japan Doesn’t’

Last Updated:December 12, 2025, 13:44 IST

The woman pointed out the irony of Indian trains running 15 minutes late without anyone even an apology issued.

She mentioned delays are so normal in the public transport system. (Representative Image)

In India, we are used to many things like deafening horns, endless traffic, power cuts, water cuts and, of course, delayed trains. But every now and then, a social media post comes along that forces the country to stop scrolling and think. One such post has been garnering attention from viewers lately and rightfully so. It comes as a mirror to something most of us ignore every day: the value of time.

In her post on X, a woman draws a sharp comparison between India and Japan, highlighting delays everywhere, from trains to flights and even daily road traffic. Her post begins with a blunt sentence that instantly grabbed attention as she wrote, “Dear Indian, your time has ZERO value.” And from there, she didn’t hold back.

Reflecting on what millions of Indians experience daily, she mentioned delays are so normal in the public transport system that punctuality feels like a myth. She pointed out the irony of Indian trains running 15 minutes late without anyone even raising an eyebrow while in Japan, even a 10-second delay results in formal apologies from staff.

Delays Due To Traffic Chaos

The comparison didn’t stop with trains. She highlighted India’s traffic chaos as well, saying roads are blocked by rallies, protests, strikes, accidents or simply sheer volume. On the contrary, a 10-kilometre drive in Japan can take as little as 12 minutes, as she shared in her post, reminding users how deeply everyday life in India is affected by delays.

Then she moved to another point which ironically has been the reason for travellers’ frustration for the past few days: Indian airline services. She wrote nearly 25 per cent of Indian flights facing delays, suggesting that the issue runs across all levels of transport.

Internet’s Perspective On Delays

The contrast with Japan’s culture of accuracy fascinated many, prompting thousands of viewers to pour in their reactions in the comment section. One user wrote, “India runs on vibes and jugaad, not time.” Another commented, “Delays have become so normal here that people no longer question them. Time should be respected, whether it’s for trains, roads or flights.”

Someone else added a broader perspective, “Rules are meant for the entire society, not just a few. When the majority of Indians follow a ‘chalta hai’ mindset, it’s difficult to expect the government or corporates to strictly uphold standards.” They ended with a reminder that resonated widely: “We need to be the change we want to see in society.”

As the debate continues, one thing is clear that the post has made everyone rethink how we take time for granted every day.

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