If you’re from the United States, time seems like a pretty straightforward concept. You look at your watch (or, more realistically, your phone), and whatever it says is what time it is. If you have an appointment to get to or a plane to catch, you usually interpret the time to the letter and show up early. You might relax your sense of time for a social engagement or the office, giving yourself a five-to-fifteen-minute grace period.
However, if you’re from elsewhere or have traveled outside the country, you understand that time can be relative. It’s much looser in some societies, whereas it’s pretty strict in others. In some countries, time is defined not by the clock but by the comparative importance of different social connections. In others, it might be determined by the sense of self and the need for rest, aloneness, or self-care.
In this article, you’ll learn how several different cultures and societies approach the concept of time. You might realize, in reading, that you have more in common with other time-based customs than your own. As you read, remember that the most familiar perspective isn’t always the “right one.” You never know — you might develop a new sense of respect or appreciation for that person who’s always annoyingly late or early.
Monochronic vs. Polychronic Time
First, it’s important to understand the concepts of monochronic and polychronic time. People in the U.S., Japan, and much of Western Europe practice monochronic time. Time is entirely linear in monochronic societies and divided into sections, like a calendar. Each chunk of time has a set purpose, and being late or “wasting” time is considered problematic. Life moves quickly, and people in monochronic societies view rest periods as lost or unused time.
On the other hand, polychronic societies—like India and most of Latin America—are much more relaxed in their interpretations of time. People measure the passage of time by seasons and important family or community events. They may do (or at least agree to) multiple activities at the same time, favoring relationships over the clock. Meetings might run long because coworkers take time for personal conversations, and no one minds if they’re late for the next one.
Cyclical vs. Past vs. Future-Oriented
While most cultures operate on monochronic or polychronic time, some view time differently. In some cultures, time and life are seen as cyclical: Seasons and events will always repeat, and little can be done to change that. In others, time is seen as something to be unwrapped or circled: decisions are made slowly and meticulously. In still others, time is about traditional values and remembering past events.
In the U.S. and other future-oriented societies, time is all about the future. Life and history are seen as a forward-moving engine toward “progress” and innovation. In this conception of time, things always get better, and long-term goals take precedence over all else. People focus on accomplishment and chasing what they haven’t yet attained. These cultures value pre-set plans over unexpected deviations or interruptions.
Present-oriented time cultures (often also polychronic) see time as something that happens in the present. Examples include Latin America, many African countries, and parts of Europe, like France and Spain. In these cultures, moments are savored more slowly, meals are eaten more leisurely, and people often take naps or siestas during the day. Emphasis is placed on present, mindful experiences like preparing food, sipping a coffee, or taking a stroll.
United States
You know the saying: “Time is money,” and many Americans treat time like the letter of the law. In the States, many people follow a linear definition of time that closely resembles the clock and the calendar. If an event or appointment isn’t in your Microsoft, Google, iCal, or Calendar.com calendar, it might as well not exist. If the commitment is listed in your calendar, some people even let the event take precedence over their family or social event, personal crisis, or other non-emergency.
Latin America
That’s not how it works at all in much of Latin America, where precise punctuality can often seem outright rude. In Argentina, it’s considered rude if a server offers the check before diners have finished chatting. Latin American time favors social relationships, but rushing through pretty much anything is an offensive notion. In Peru, the organizers of a 2007 government campaign to end chronic tardiness failed to deliver their own ceremony invitations on time.
Sweden
Speaking of social relationships, in Sweden, time is organized around short chats with friends. Time stops several times a day for a “fika”: the art of taking a quick break for coffee and something sweet. The Fika can happen at any time of day or night, though typical times are around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The most important part of Fika isn’t when it happens but how: it’s all about slowing down to savor a moment — usually with friends, family, or co-workers.
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, locals slow down to savor not just the moment, but their entire lives. Bulgarians view time through the lens of “aylyak”(also spelled ‘ailyak’) — a sort of perpetual slowness or dawdling. People walk slower, drive slower, and take time to relax or wander the streets idly. Work days start and end early, but rushing is unthinkable in this culture. The schedule is made that way so there’s plenty of time in the afternoons to hang out in parks and public squares.
Japan
In Japan, the breaks and slowness are more truncated but more frequent — taken between sentences or actions. A concept called “Ma” dictates pausing for a moment before speaking or making a decision, in order to think more carefully. Ma is difficult to translate: it’s used in multiple contexts, and can mean a pause, a negative space, or something “empty.” It might be easiest to think of it as a way of giving things a little extra space in order to let them breathe.
India
In Hinduism, time is not just linear, but part linear and part cyclical. Lifetimes move forward, but everything also moves in cycles from birth to rebirth and back again. There is no concept of a first creation or a beginning of time, as in Judeo-Christian philosophy. Each “death” or ending is just the beginning of the next cycle of life and death, as with a flower or plant. Hindu texts, ironically, include extensive references to different complex systems for keeping linear time.
Adapting and Understanding
Wherever you are in the world, it’s essential to take a moment to understand and adapt to the local concept of time. It can save you a lot of frustration when you adjust your expectations to align with how people do things elsewhere. If you’re an American traveling in a polychronic country, don’t be surprised when people or buses run “late.” Avoid booking activities or travel back-to-back so you give yourself plenty of extra time to get where you’re going.
If you’re of polychronic origins, you might find it stressful to adapt to monochronic cultures. It might take some practice — and a lot of alarms on your phone — to adjust to a work schedule or a more punctual partner. Whatever side of the world or the clock you fall on, however, remember that your perspective matters. Every concept of time has a lesson to impart, whether it’s about the value of hard work, relationships, rest, life and death, or simply a latte and a sweet treat.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Mohit Suthar; Pexels
Angela Ruth
My name is Angela Ruth. I aim to help you learn how Calendar can help you manage your time, boost your productivity, and spend your days working on things that matter, both personally and professionally. Here's to improving all your calendars and becoming the person you are destined to become!