Indian techie refuses to dance for visiting client: 'Happy to deliver projects, not stage performances'

'My senior colleague asked me if I could perform a solo dance. I like dancing. I do Bollywood, I enjoy it a lot — but that’s personal,' the techie shared. (AI-generated image)

An Indian software engineer has sparked a debate online after sharing that his company asked employees to prepare “fun engagement” performances — including solo dances and a fashion walk — during an upcoming client visit.

In a Reddit post, the backend developer said they were comfortable dancing in their personal life but not in a professional setting.

"We have an upcoming client visit at our office next week. Standard agenda: presentations, discussions, product demos, networking etc," the techie wrote. "Today, management shared that along with the formal sessions, they’re planning a 'fun engagement segment' solo dance performances, fashion walk, light entertainment to 'impress the client' and show team culture. My senior colleague asked me if I could perform a solo dance."

They added that they were hired for a technical role, not to “entertain clients,” and refused both the dance and the fashion‑walk requests.

'Would refusal be viewed negatively?' 

"I like dancing. I do Bollywood, I enjoy it a lot — but that’s personal. I dance because I enjoy it, not because I want to entertain clients in a corporate setting. I politely refused," they said. "Then I was asked if I could at least participate in the fashion walk segment. I refused that too."

The Reddit user wrote that client visits should be professional, and that optional activities must remain truly optional. "I don’t think development roles come with a choreography clause in the offer letter. I’m happy to deliver projects, not stage performances," they said, adding that they don’t like the idea of being a puppet to 'impress' someone.

"If I want to dance, I’ll dance at a party, wedding, or with friends — not as a corporate display item," the techie said, but they also questioned other Reddit users whether refusal would be viewed negatively in Indian workplaces. "Where do you draw the line between 'team spirit' and personal boundaries?"

'You did good': Reddit users support refusal

The post drew strong reactions, with many tech professionals calling the company’s expectations “absurd” and “embarrassing.”

One commenter, with 16 years in the industry, said they had “never seen such absurd client engagement activities” and that management must be “a real piece of work.” Another wrote, “You are hired for a development job, not as an entertainer. This brown sepoy mindset of these boomer managers will take time to be cured.”

Others argued that dancing for clients does nothing to improve business relationships. “Indian managers need to understand the real reason why expats come — and watching performances or being pampered is not on the list,” one user said.

Another Redditor urged the engineer to stand firm, even if some managers viewed refusal negatively. They said such behaviour reflects deeper cultural issues within poorly run companies rather than employee shortcomings.

“The good‑for‑nothing bosses may consider it negative. Don’t bother. Over time, work your way up to better‑run companies,” one person wrote, adding that corporate India risks leaning too heavily on non‑professional expectations.