Monochronic or Polychronic

Introduction

All societies have to handle moving through time, creating a way of understanding and simultaneously managing the flow of things. Cultures might place a great deal of importance on managing and controlling time. Fore these monochronic cultures, clocks, agendas, calendars, and deadlines determine what and when things are done, and time is a limited commodity that must be carefully managed. For other cultures, time exists, but it is not the determinant of people's actions. For these polychronic cultures, time stands in the background; there is usually plenty of it, and relationships and immediate needs usually determine what and when things are done.

Argentina

Argentina is primarily polychronic. although non-Argentines would do best arriving for business on time: for social occasions. however, it is essential that you arrive at least 30 minutes to an hour later than the stated time. Outside of the major cities. time is circular. and very polychronic. For example, dinner at home rarely starts before 8 or 9 P,M.. and a dinner party with guests at home will often not start until 9 or 10 P.M., even though guests may have been invited for 8 P.M. If you really want things to occur punctually, it is perfectly okay to identify the time as en punto, although it might be difficult to enforce. Business hours are often extremely late: upper level managers and executives can stay in the office until 9 or ] 0 P.M., and meetings can last well into the evening.

America

Punctuality is highly emphasized. If you are delayed, call to let your contact know. If you are invited for a meal, you should arrive promptly. For social functions you can arrive few minutes late, you don't need to call ahead even if you will be a half hour late.

Australia

Australia is primarily a monochronic culture. especially in business. However. a few minutes late here and there usually is not a problem; and in social situations, being ten minutes late is not a problem. There is a relaxed attitude toward agendas and schedules. which arc usually not organized tightly. Australians see Amcricans as far too eager to live to work, and Americans see Australian_ ,as ready, at any moment, to break away from the desk, put on a bathing suit, and throw another "prawn on the barbie" (yes, it's "prawn," not "shrimp," in Australia).

China

Because punctuality also reflects other values, such as concern for the other person and humility before someone else's efforts. the Chinese are more or less punctual certainly. you should be. Nevertheless. in the big picture, as with all traditional Asian cultures, time has historically stood in the background to immediate personal relationships; even in modern-day Chinese cities, this is certainly still the case. Things will take the time they need to take, and the clock is not the ultimate arbiter of what occurs and when. Mao Tse-tung was once asked what he thought of the French Revolution; his answer was, "It's too soon to tell." The Chinese will move very quickly to seize an advantage if one presents itself; they certainly want to succeed as quickly as possible, but they will not do anything that is not in their best interest simply because of time. Unless it is on their terms, they have time to wait it out.

Daily life in China has historically been arranged according to vast, agriculturally based blocks of time, over which no individual or government had control: seasons, days and nights. Even today, the workday in China begins fairly early (around 7 or 8 A.M.), and ends early (around 4 or 5 P.M.). Most workers take an hour break and a mid afternoon nap after lunch. On balance. China is a polychronic culture, as are most of the cultures of Asia; the clock is not the ultimate reason for action.

Colombia

Colombia is mainly polychronic. although non-Colombians would do best arriving for business on time, For social occasions, however. it is essential that everyone arrives at least one-half to one full hour later than the stated time. Outside of the major cities. time is circular. and very polychronic. Dinner at home, for example. is usually between 7 and 8 P.M" but a dinner party in someone's home will often not start until 9 or 10 P.M,. even though guests may have been invited for 8 P.M. If you really want things to occur punctually. it is perfectly okay to identify the time as Norte-american, as opposed to la Colombiana, although it will be difficult to enforce.

Congo

Congo is essentially very polychronic, due to the influence of agrarian and religious traditions. and the current unpredictable situation of daily life. There is forgiveness for the inevitable delays and unexpected events that define life in Africa, and understanding when things don't go as planned or scheduled: people mayor may not show up at invited events, thing' mayor may not happen as planned. Schedules tend to be loose and flexibility. Because who (relationships) is more important than what (tasks) or when (time), there can be many interruptions during a meting. and people's obligations to other people. who may come and go, are more important than doing things according to schedules. If you are being kept waiting, or are ignored because of someone else's needs. it is an indication of your importance relative to the other person. and expressing frustration over being kept waiting only diminishes your importance.

Egypt

Egypt is essentially very polychronic. due to the influence of both agrarian and religious traditions. The clock is definitely not the determinant of action; it plays a role most certainly, particularly in the larger, more modern urban areas, and there is an acceptance of Western organizational ideas (westerners should not be late, for example). Nevertheless, there is forgiveness for the inevitable delays , and understanding when things don't go as planned or scheduled: people mayor may not show up at invited events, things mayor may not happen as planned.

Schedules tend to be loose and flexible. Because who (relationships) is more important than what (tasks) or when (time), there can be many interruptions during a meeting, and people's obligations to other people, who may come and go, are more important than doing things according to schedules. If you are being kept waiting, or are ignored because of someone else's needs, it is an indication of your importance, or lack thereof, relative to the other person, and expressing frustration over being kept waiting only diminishes your importance.

England

The English are primarily monochronic, believing in the value of organizing one's time carefully. Business and life are conducted best when done so in an orderly, progressive way. This leads to all sorts of uniquely British phenomena -- from what some might term obsessive queuing at most any given opportunity, to the reliance on business agendas, memoranda, follow-ups, and the observance of schedules and timetables.

France

The French exhibit a conflicting mixture of Latin polychronism and northern European monochronism (and it is usually more monochronic in the north of France-Paris included-than in the south). In social situations, therefore, the French are often acceptably late, and in business situations, may think nothing of finishing up work on their desk for a few extra minutes even though a meeting has been called. Nevertheless, things can move briskly in metropolitan areas, and schedules and deadlines, in the absence of any other French priorities, can be surprisingly demanding.

Germany

Germany is one of the most monochronic cultures in the world (although polychronism increases as one moves south and east within its borders), The trains will generally he on time to the minute; employees must not be late for. a meeting (the meeting will start without them if they are. and the doors will he closed); and plans, agendas. and the like are rigorously followed, If your plans must change. if you must he delayed. if the unexpected occurs. it is crucial that you inform key people of the fact as soon as possible.

One cannot plan too much, too carefully, or too thoroughly, There is a time and place for everything, and careful planning allows for both work and leisure (Germans have more holidays, for example, than any other major developed nation, and personal life is sacred); it is just that the two usually do not mix.

India

India is essentially a polychronic culture in that thc clock is usually not the determinant of action; it most certainly plays a role, particularly in the larger, more modern urban areas, and there is an acceptance of Western organizational ideas. Nevertheless, there is forgiveness for the inevitable delays, and understanding when things don't go as planned or scheduled; people mayor may not show up at scheduled events, meetings and projects mayor may not happen as planned. India is forever acting Indian, but judging itself by Western standards of universal morality, resulting ill a kind of self-consciousness that swings between superiority and inferiority.

Daily life in India has historically been arranged according to vast, agriculturally based blocks of time. over which no individual or government had control. for example. the seasons. day and night. This tradition has been spiritually justified by the tenets of Hinduism and Buddhism. which emphasize vast cycles of life and reincarnation. Even today, schedules tend to he loose and flexible: the workday begll1s around 9 A.M.. and ends around 4 P.M. Most workers take an hour break and a mid afternoon nap after lunch.

Indonesia

Indonesia is an extremely polychronic culture. There is a concept throughout the country known as "rubber time:' in which the clock stretches to fit human needs, not the other (Western) way around, Things will take the time they need to take, and the clock is not the ultimate arbiter of what occurs and when. Events can move very slowly, or very quickly, but only if it makes sense according to the individuals and the situations they are in each and every day.

Indonesians will move very quickly to seize an advantage if one presents itself; they certainly want to succeed as quickly as possible, but they will not do anything that is not in their best interest simply because of time. Unless it is on their terms, they have time to wait it out, Daily life in Indonesia has historically been arranged according to vast, agriculturally based blocks of time, over which no individual or government had control -- for example, the seasons, day, and night. Even today, schedules tend to be loose and flexible; the workday begins around 8 A.M., and ends around 4 P.M. Most workers take an hour break and a mid aftemoon nap after lunch. But time moves much more slowly in general, and there is no advantage to rushing about. This changes by group, with ethnic Indonesians being least time conscious, and Chinese being most time conscious.

Italy

Outside of the major northern cities, time is circular. and very polychronic; it is most monochronic in Milan, but as one moves south, old agrarian patterns die hard, even if people aren't waking up ad heading for the fields in the morning today. In rural areas, it is easiest to work in the fields in the cool of the early morning and late afternoon; the midday heat is usually too oppressive, and provides a good opportunity to stoke up on a filling meal and a siesta, heading back out until the sun sets. And as one moves south through Italy, the clock slows down.

Japan

Because punctuality also reflects other values, such as concern for the other person and humility before someone else's efforts, the Japanese are more or less very punctual; certainly, you should be. Nevertheless, in the big picture, it is difficult to say that the Japanese are monochronic (subordinate to time), because in Japan, as with all traditional Asian cultures, time has historically stood in the background to immediate personal relationships; even in modern-day Japan, this is certainly still the case. Things will take the time they need to take, and the clock is not the ultimate arbiter of what occurs and when.

Nigeria

Nigeria is essentially very polychronic. due to the influence of both agrarian and religious traditions (although less so in and the cities). There is forgiveness for the inevitable delays and unexpected events that define life in Africa, and understanding when things don't go as planned or scheduled: people mayor may not show up at invited events, things may ,or may not happen as planned. Schedules tend to be loose and flexible. Because who (relationships) is more important than what (tasks) or when (time), there can be many interruptions during a meeting, and people's obligations to other people, who may come and go, are more important than doing things according to the schedule. If you are being kept waiting. or are ignored because of someone else's needs, it may be an indication of your importance relative to the other person. and expressing frustration may only diminish your importance.

Philippines

The Philippines has an extremely polychronic culture: schedules must remain loose, the clock takes a backseat to most other criteria for action. Things do not necessarily flow sequentially: many things happens simultaneously, and deadlines and schedules are juggled constantly.

Poland

Poles are generally monochronic, being northern European. They will generally arrive on time for meetings and appointments, and even their social events, such as dinners, usually start within five minutes or so of the stated time. In fact, Poles usually start their day rather early. Nevertheless, perhaps because of Roman Catholic and Latin influences, as well as the challenges of day-to-day life in a developing nation, Poles are flexible to polychronic influences: anything can happen to derail a schedule or slow down a plan. Therefore, agendas can be changed quickly, last-minute adjustments are common, and group functions may not end on time. In fact, business meetings and social events both seem to be open-ended affairs (this means that Poles get up early for work, but may also stay up very late into the evening!). Get your sleep when you can when you visit Poland.

Russia

Polychronic. Everything, including schedules, agendas, and deadlines is subordinate to raw hierarchical power, and one's ability to harness such power through relationships for one's own benefit. The Russian day begins rather early, but from that point on, it can be difficult to predict when things will start and stop with certainty. Agendas can be changed quickly, last-minute adjustments are common, and while things may start on time, they may not end on time. In fact, business meetings and social events both seem to be open-ended affairs. Be punctual, but stay flexible.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is essentially very polychronie, due to the influence of both agrarian and religious traditions. The clock is definitely not the determinant of action; it plays a role most certainly, particularly in the larger, more modern urban areas, and there is an acceptance of Western organizational ideas (Westerners should not be late, for example). Nevertheless, there is forgiveness for the inevitable delays, and understanding when things don't go as planned or scheduled; people may or may not show up at invited events, things may or may not happen as planned. Things take the time they take, that's an (the concept of “buqrah”). Muslim laws even view planning too far into the future-or planning at all in some cases-as heretical, for it presumes that individuals can control events that are essentially in the hands of A1lah. Even today, schedules tend to be loose and flexible; the workday begins around 9 A.M. and ends around 4 p.M. Most workers take an hour break after lunch. Because who (relationships) is more important than what (tasks) or when (time), there can be many interruptions during a meeting, and people's obligations to other people, who come and go, are more important than doing things according to schedules. If you are being kept waiting, or are ignored because of someone else's needs*, it is an indication of your importance relative to the other person, and expressing frustration over being kept waiting only diminishes your importance.

Slovenia

The region is mainly polychronic and more so the farther south you go through the Balkan Peninsula. Slovenians are fairly monochronic, in both their social and business dealings (you should arrive pretty much on time for business meetings and for social dinners); as you move through Croatia and Serbia, and in Macedonia and Bulgaria, time becomes much more fluid, and meetings and dinners alike may be delayed by between fifteen and thirty minutes; the golden rule is to arrive on time, and be prepared to wait.

Sweden

The Swedish culture is essentia11y monochronic; punctuality is important in both the business world and personal life. However, life is not as rigidly compartmentalized as, say German monochronism, and here “lagom” also demands moderation in the separation of the personal and the professional, fun and work. Swedes easily mix these clements together, believing that it makes for a better life. This supports the Swedish belief in a kind of utopianism: that a good life is available for most, if moderation and concern for others remain the primary motivation of the individual. Careful planning is important, and the Swede (as is the case again for most Scandinavians) is not automatically open to new and different ideas: time must be taken for careful analysis and to allow opportunities to be evaluated by every one involved. Changing schedules at the last minute is seen as very careless.