Week 5: Cultural Differences Concerning Time

Week 5: Cultural Differences Concerning Time

19 May 2020

     Throughout my life, I have often pondered on and experienced this cultural difference in the concept of time. Why does it have a different value in different cultures? To answer this question, we need to look at the bigger concepts of monochronic and polychronic mentality. These two define how the people of a particular culture will most often act and make decisions. Of course, there are exceptions and deviations everywhere.

     So, in a culture where relationships and connections, as well as the family, come first, people prioritize those values. The majority of the world seems to fall under this time management type (Latin America, Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean countries, Caucasus, etc). In this type of culture, one should have connections. The important thing here is to make friends and good relationships. Therefore, decisions are made for the good of the relationship. In this ideology, the concept of time is not as significant as it is in monochronic places. Accordingly, people who are not familiar with this cultural norm or are not used to dealing with it might get offended or frustrated.

     On the contrary, in monochronic countries, time management is vital. Punctuality is valued and appreciated. Here, one can get things done by law and other bureaucratic processes. People don’t have to be in a close and good relationship with the person who is doing something for them. This is a big gap between cultures, however, each makes sense to the people who are programmed that way. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, both are important and effective. I like how it says in this video, “both monochronic time and polychronic time are real, and they both work, just differently.”

     Now, in a teaching environment, I think specific expectations should be set. Once I was volunteering at an English school, in a polychronic culture. It too often happened that the students were late or did not show up to the classes. It was very frustrating for the teacher because she came from a monochronic culture. Hence, teachers should set those expectations before that course starts. I have to mention that this does not mean that everything will then work out perfectly according to the monochronic culture. There will still be problems to sort out.

     In my culture the polychronic time is dominant. However, certain things like job interviews or business meetings belong to the monochronic time. I think it is this way in many other countries. In general, I think people own their time and they are in control of what to do with it.

Mane Mamajanyan