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Comment by nostrademons | Hacker News Reader

Most of the Googlers I know with kids don't stay for dinner, or they'll grab dinner and go (which technically you're not supposed to do, but they work hard the rest of the day...)

The 400+ people at the Googleplex at 8:00 PM is mostly a reflection of the relative youth of the employee base (median age: 28). When you're young and single, hanging out with friends for dinner certainly beats going home and eating alone.

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I totally agree. Most don't stay for dinner. Many go home, have dinner with their family, and get back on line from home later. Everyone is free to do what they need to do. There is no pressure from anyone.

Google feels a lot like a college campus. Lots of people around at all hours of the day and night. People have different work schedules, but you never feel alone.

Most don't stay for dinner. Many go home, have dinner with their family, and get back on line from home later.

Does anyone work strict eight hour days, five days a week?

I think there are some. I know some people who go home around 5:15, every day. I'm not entirely sure when they get in, but I think it's around 9:00, +- 15 minutes.

I've been working pretty consistent 8 hour days lately, noon to 8. Granted, in my last project, I was often working 11-12 hour days + weekends. I think that's only typical if you're on a high profile project with a company-wide push to get it out the door, though. There are 20,000 Googlers; most of them are not on such projects.

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