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 Moderate monochronic Polychronic business
business cultures business cultures cultures
Nordic and Germanic Australia/New Zealand, Arab countries, Africa,
Europe, North America, Russia and most of India, Latin America,
Japan East-central Europe,
 Southern Europe, South and Southeast
Singapore, Hong Kong, Asia
Taiwan, China, South
Korea

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.