Cultural Time Differences

5/19/22- Cultural Time Differences

A few days ago a friend of mine posted this meme on Facebook. I laughed because I knew it was true, though not because of personal experience. Much of the world is Polychronic cultures. This is basically that time does not matter, but relationships do. Here in America, we live in a Monochronic culture, which means that time and schedules are extremely important.

I have felt bad for my former refugee friends, because they have moved from a Polychronic culture of relaxed schedules, into a most strict environment, where if you are not on time, too bad, you have just got to deal with the consequences. Consequences may be no money for food, or they miss their doctors' appointments, causing a lack of care and frustration. As their helper, I had to constantly give them text and phone reminders letting them know that it was almost time to go. I think they were OK with changing their thoughts on time, but only because they have received a kind friend in the process, so it feels a little like a Polychronic culture in the respect of people matter. 

I truly wish we would step back and take a page out of most of the world views on culture. Many Americans suffer from mental and physical health issues because they never take the time to slow down. This last week I had the opportunity to go hold triples. This experience caused me to slow down, visit with a mother who needed a friend and take in the gift that is not worrying about time. I spent 4 hours there but didn't look at my watch, because this mom and those babies are what was important. I loved the whole process. Even though it was exhausting, it was also rejuvenating.  Maybe we should find the happy medium of Polychronic and Monochronic cultures and just take a siesta after lunch.