Differing Perspectives of Time

Close up view of a clock

Every culture has different views of time and the value of time. Coming to understand how another culture views time can be one of the most difficult parts of living abroad.

In the U.S. we have a ‘monochronic’ view of time. This means that we view time in units – minutes, hours, days, etc. Time is valuable or, as the saying goes, “time is money.” This means that we believe that time should be used wisely and not wasted. In the U.S., it is generally important to be on time or you risk disrespecting someone. Of course, even in the U.S., each person views time a little differently. Here are some important considerations in regard to being on time in the U.S.

Time in the U.S.

What is considered being “on time”

  • Being “on time” means arriving no later than exactly the designated time.
  • Arriving 5-10 minutes early is, in MOST cases, considered a good thing.
  • Arriving even one or two minutes after the designated time is considered “late”.

How important is it to be “on time”?

  • When it comes to meeting people, you can follow these general tips:
    • If the person is a high-status or important person, it is VERY important to be on time.
    • The more formal the relationship you have with the person, the more important it is to be on time. For example, it is important to be on time for a meeting with a professor or colleague, but a friend will probably not be upset if you are 5 minutes late.
    • If you do not know the person well, it is important to be on time.
  • When it comes to events, the importance and uniqueness of the event decide how important it is to be on time. It is important to be on time or early for events that are important or unique.

Specific recommendations about being “on time”

  • Meeting a professor or attending a meeting at work: arrive either a few minutes before the designated time or exactly at the designated time. If you arrive late, you should apologize and, if you know you will be more than five minutes late, you should call to warn the person that you will be late.
  • Interviewing for a job: arrive ten to fifteen minutes early. If you must travel some distance, you should try to plan extra time for delays. If you arrive after the specified time, it is unlikely you will get the job unless there is a very good reason you could not have anticipated.
  • Meeting friends: you have more flexibility with friends. Most friends will wait for ten to fifteen minutes without becoming upset, some will wait even longer.
  • Attending a wedding ceremony:  arrive a little early. A wedding is unique and important and it is considered in poor taste to arrive late. You may, however, arrive late to a wedding reception.
  • A cultural event (play, ballet, concert in a theater): arrive a little early. Attendants may close the doors once the event has started and will only allow you in during a break. Even if you are allowed in, it is considered impolite to disrupt others when trying to get to your seat.
  • A party: arrive on time or even late. It is generally not good to arrive early, but it depends on the type of party and the people hosting the party. If a party has scheduled activities like for a kid’s birthday party, or a baby or wedding shower, it is best to arrive close to the specified time. If not, feel free to arrive late. In all cases, try not to arrive more than five, maybe ten minutes early, as the hosts may otherwise not be ready to receive guests! Party hosts sometimes even expect guests to arrive late.

 

A good way to avoid any problems is to ask an American you trust about expectations for your particular situation or arrive no later than the specified time.

What should I do or expect if I am late?

  • If possible, call or text the person you are meeting to tell them you will be late. If you are going to be very late, this gives them the option of cancelling or rescheduling your meeting or appointment.
  • If you are late to a doctor’s appointment or other similar appointment for which you pay, you may be charged for the appointment if you are late, even if your appointment is rescheduled.
  • Realize that people may be upset if you are late. Sometimes, even when Americans say they do not care if you are late, they are upset because being late is considered to be disrespectful. Sometimes people may not even realize that they are upset or why they are upset.

Additional resources

If you would like to learn more about differences in how time is perceived around the world, here are some links: