It took moving to Portugal for Shruti Shivam to realize that some of the things she missed most about India were the things she had barely noticed while living here. Not a monument. Not a tourist attraction. Not even a particular city. Instead, it was the everyday conveniences that quietly shape daily life – getting medicines delivered to her doorstep, finding a plumber when something breaks, booking a ride within minutes, or repairing an appliance instead of replacing it. In a recent Instagram video titled “POV: Things Portugal made me appreciate that I took for granted in India,” the Indian expat shared seven aspects of life she says she never fully appreciated until she left the country.The post struck a chord with many Indians living abroad. But when The Times of India spoke to Shruti, it became clear that her experience was about much more than deliveries and daily errands.
The things she never thought she would miss
In her video, Shruti pointed to something many Indians rarely think twice about – having essentials arrive at their doorstep.Watch the video here: “India: Groceries, medicines, food – everything comes home. Portugal: Many things still require physical pickup,” she wrote.Delivery speeds stood out, too.“India: 10-minute, same-day, next-day delivery can feel normal now. Portugal: Even next-day delivery can feel ‘fast,’” she said.The contrast extended beyond shopping. Getting a doctor’s appointment, accessing medicines, arranging household repairs, or finding skilled workers often required less planning in India.Transportation offered another perspective. While Portugal’s buses, trains, and metros are organized and punctual, she says India’s combination of public transport, auto-rickshaws, and ride-hailing services provides a level of flexibility that many people only recognize after leaving.
The adjustment she never saw coming
For all the practical differences, the biggest change had nothing to do with convenience.“Honestly, one thing I didn’t anticipate was how much slower and more relaxed the pace of life is here,” Shruti said. “People take time to do their things. There is no urgency.”Coming from India, where speed and availability often influence everyday routines, the shift felt unfamiliar at first. “In India, everything felt urgent and available almost all the time, but in Portugal, people really value work-life balance, family time, and taking things at a slower pace,” she explained.Today, it is one of the aspects of life there that she values most.
The cultural differences that only become visible with time
Some of her most interesting observations came from experiences that might seem minor at first glance. Language was one of them. Not speaking Portuguese made certain day-to-day interactions more challenging and highlighted how much people rely on language to build a sense of belonging.In India, social circles often form naturally through family, neighbours, workplaces, and long-standing networks. In Portugal, she found that relationships tend to develop more gradually.People are warm and welcoming, she says, but trust and familiarity are built over time.Another unexpected difference was food culture.In India, the distinction between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is usually straightforward. In Portugal, she discovered that some people who identify as vegetarian may still consume eggs or fish, making the definition quite different from what many Indians are used to.Work culture also stood out.“Work culture in India is generally faster-paced with longer hours and a strong focus on delivery and urgency,” she said.“In Portugal, there are clearer boundaries between work and personal life.”None of these differences felt inherently better or worse to her. They simply reflected a different way of approaching everyday life.
What Portugal changed for her
Although her viral post focused on the things she misses about India, Shruti says the biggest takeaway from living in Portugal has been a change in perspective.“Portugal has changed my understanding of what quality of life means in everyday terms,” she said.That mindset gradually changed the way she viewed her own routine.“In practical terms, it means feeling less rushed, enjoying little things like a normal walk, having weekends that are genuinely for rest and not feeling pressure to always be productive,” she explained.She is careful not to portray life abroad as perfect. Portugal comes with its own challenges, just as India does.Living in Portugal has made her appreciate two things she once viewed separately.India showed her the value of convenience. Portugal showed her the value of time. Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)
