The concept of time

Cultural anthropology systematically seeks to examine how societies define themselves according to their views of time.  Research in this field began with Edward T. Hall in the 1930s and indicated that some cultures with a past orientation view the traditions of what came before as being more important in many ways than the present.  Japan, India, China, and numerous cultures of Eastern Europe have always placed a significant value on past achievement and on honoring the lives and spirits of ancestors.  Many cultures throughout Asia and the Latin world have a strong sense of the past and the role that traditional values must play in present-day decisions.  Cultures with present orientation are focused on the moment, neither invoking the past nor wondering about the future.  Societies with simple patterns of organization, fewer rules and norms, and very little outside influence often exhibit such views.  The Bedouin tribes of northern Africa, numerous Pacific Islanders, and the Maori of New Zealand see time as a seamless continuum that passes over us – a phenomenon we are neither able to understand or influence.  The developed nations of the modern, global economy exhibit still another view of time; they tend to have a strong future orientation, focusing on what’s ahead, planning for contingencies that may never come about, and anticipating the divisions and demarcations in time that linear, forward-thinkers value. 

Edward Hall coined the concepts of polychronic and monochronic time.  Monochronic socieities are punctual and efficient.  These are made of rational thinkers who see time as a valuable resource and something to be saved or lost.  They feel comfortable if they are able to stick to original plans, meet deadlines, and use their time wisely.  They expect others to be prompt and make the most of the time they have been given.  Nations with a monochronic view of time are usually among the more individualistic cultures, such as the U.S, Canada and northern Europe, but other collectivistic cultures, such as Japanese (largely because of global economic development) also fall into this category.  Keeping in schedule and completing tasks in a timely fashion demonstrate respect for the larger group.

Varying degrees of dimensions in business cultures

Very monochronic business cultures

Moderate monochronic business cultures

Polychronic business cultures

Nordic and Germanic Europe, North America, Japan

Australia/New Zealand, Russia and most of East-central Europe, Southern Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea

Arab countries, Africa, India, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia

In polychronic societies, people are more relaxed about time because relationships are more important than schedules.  Relationships are crucial to developing trust, which evolves through those relationships and ultimately makes for good business.  Hurrying any proposition is considered superficial and deadlines are never missed (they are simply adjusted) but that is part of the process.  Usually the more collectivistic cultures see time this way, such as cultures from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.  Other European cultures, such as French, Spanish, and Irish, also fall into this category.  Another interesting phenomenon common to polychronic societies is the “one among many” philosophy of business meetings.  You may schedule a meeting that you believe is reserved solely for you, and be surprised when you arrive.  Often, people in such societies will be multitasking while they are meeting with you – an administrative assistant may interrupt you to ask a question, another employee may enter and ask for a brief micromeeting on the spot, or the person running the meeting may step out for a while only to return and expect you to still be there.