Iran is a polychronic society, so time is seen as limitless. Though being punctual is always appreciated, Iranians tend to come late to most social functions. A joke among Iranian-Americans is "running on PST" -- Persian Standard Time. Social gatherings, called "mehmoonis," tend to last for hours, and goodbyes especially take a very long time. From what I have seen, Iranians are fond of conversation and getting to know people, and therefore spend a lot of time talking and conversing. Trust is really important in Iranian society, and taking the time to get to know someone is necessary for an Iranian to be able to trust them. Conversely, not spending the time to chat with people is seen as untrustworthy. These attitudes are not really reflected in the language, however. Telling time has the same structure in English and in Farsi. Iranian culture is, however, very heavy on "reading between the lines," so this might be a reflection of that.
The only important aspect of time perception in the Korean culture is the difference between the social status of people. It is considered rude and unacceptable for people of lower social status to keep somebody from a higher social status waiting. Social status seems to play in important role in Korean society. It is not acceptable to be late or not to wait for someone from a higher class when you have made an appointment to meet. The people of lower class are obligated to show up on time whereas the people from the higher social class have the freedom to do whatever they pleased in regards to time. So in other words, people of higher class in the traditional Korean society lacked the concept of punctuality because all affairs were arranged to proceed whenever they liked. Age also matters when it comes to attitudes about time. Younger people need to respect the elders so when discussing lateness versus earliness, anyone that is younger than another person may not be late or keep the elder waiting. Language is reflected in this by changing the way a person might talk to the other person.
Indian culture is more collectivist than individualistic, it is polychronic as opposed to being monochronic, it is external versus being internal, it in indirect rather than being direct. These aspects largely affect the role that time plays in the Indian culture. Indian culture values relationships above all. Society comes before all as well. Time is not a commodity; instead there exist an idea of time being ample to do everything. Therefore, people and the relationships one shares with them always come before a proper and precise schedule. On a daily basis, it is acceptable to be late. In fact, usually everyone goes to events late. However, on the hand, if someone is in need, people rush to the one in need at once.
If I were to meet a friend at 5:00 pm for coffee, it would be acceptable to arrive at 5:15pm. As opposed to monochromatic societies where meeting at 5:00pm means arrive at 5:00pm.
In terms of time, traditionally, India operates on a polychronic basis as opposed to being monochronic. In polychronic societies, time is limitless and not quantifiable as opposed to monochronic societies, where time is a commodity and shall not be wasted. Gujarati culture, as well as the greater Indian culture, values people and relationships within a society. This means that they will spend and make time for people, despite limits, deadlines, circumstances, etc.
Typically, women in Gujarati culture do not work. They are housewives, which relfects the implications of a polychronic society, where there is limitless time. This is reflected in Gujarati language in terms of the meanings and assumptions behind certain words. For example, the word wife. In Gujarati culture, there is always a presumption that wives stay at home, and use that "time" to make a home, take care of children, serve the husband, cook and clean, and take care of the in-laws and other family members who reside within the home. I found this interesting because this is a contrast to Western culture, where a woman is expected to work outside of the household. The mental image of a wife is not presumed to be that of a house wife. Twenty-four hours in a day are not automatically attributed towards care in a home for a western wife.
Global Studio > Jamaica AkandeSeptember 26, 2012 at 2:38pm
I'm interested in your idea that the concept of the 'housewife' reflects the implications of a polychronic society. I'd like to hear more about this, because US society is generally not seen as polychronic, but until the 60s the societal view of women was generally that they should be in the home. Can you explain a bit more what you mean?
Time is not a very big issue in Urdu speaking culture. It is not like they do not value time, but it is like that they make their own schedules, and let the time work around it. Also, they are not very strict on being on time on some events such as, parties, weddings, and other festivities. however, they think about being on time or even earlier when there is an emergency such as a funeral, or someone is sick at the hospital or there is an accident etc.
Global Studio > Susan Jelanizada-سوسنSeptember 25, 2012 at 3:33pm
What does this tell us about the values of Urdu-speaking culture in general?
It tells us that relationships, and family matters more then personal desires in Urdu-speaking cultures. For example, if a person is too busy with his work, and has a very limited free time, he/she will still try to make time for his/her family and friends.
Replies
Iran is a polychronic society, so time is seen as limitless. Though being punctual is always appreciated, Iranians tend to come late to most social functions. A joke among Iranian-Americans is "running on PST" -- Persian Standard Time. Social gatherings, called "mehmoonis," tend to last for hours, and goodbyes especially take a very long time. From what I have seen, Iranians are fond of conversation and getting to know people, and therefore spend a lot of time talking and conversing. Trust is really important in Iranian society, and taking the time to get to know someone is necessary for an Iranian to be able to trust them. Conversely, not spending the time to chat with people is seen as untrustworthy. These attitudes are not really reflected in the language, however. Telling time has the same structure in English and in Farsi. Iranian culture is, however, very heavy on "reading between the lines," so this might be a reflection of that.
The only important aspect of time perception in the Korean culture is the difference between the social status of people. It is considered rude and unacceptable for people of lower social status to keep somebody from a higher social status waiting. Social status seems to play in important role in Korean society. It is not acceptable to be late or not to wait for someone from a higher class when you have made an appointment to meet. The people of lower class are obligated to show up on time whereas the people from the higher social class have the freedom to do whatever they pleased in regards to time. So in other words, people of higher class in the traditional Korean society lacked the concept of punctuality because all affairs were arranged to proceed whenever they liked. Age also matters when it comes to attitudes about time. Younger people need to respect the elders so when discussing lateness versus earliness, anyone that is younger than another person may not be late or keep the elder waiting. Language is reflected in this by changing the way a person might talk to the other person.
Indian culture is more collectivist than individualistic, it is polychronic as opposed to being monochronic, it is external versus being internal, it in indirect rather than being direct. These aspects largely affect the role that time plays in the Indian culture. Indian culture values relationships above all. Society comes before all as well. Time is not a commodity; instead there exist an idea of time being ample to do everything. Therefore, people and the relationships one shares with them always come before a proper and precise schedule. On a daily basis, it is acceptable to be late. In fact, usually everyone goes to events late. However, on the hand, if someone is in need, people rush to the one in need at once.
If I were to meet a friend at 5:00 pm for coffee, it would be acceptable to arrive at 5:15pm. As opposed to monochromatic societies where meeting at 5:00pm means arrive at 5:00pm.
In terms of time, traditionally, India operates on a polychronic basis as opposed to being monochronic. In polychronic societies, time is limitless and not quantifiable as opposed to monochronic societies, where time is a commodity and shall not be wasted. Gujarati culture, as well as the greater Indian culture, values people and relationships within a society. This means that they will spend and make time for people, despite limits, deadlines, circumstances, etc.
Typically, women in Gujarati culture do not work. They are housewives, which relfects the implications of a polychronic society, where there is limitless time. This is reflected in Gujarati language in terms of the meanings and assumptions behind certain words. For example, the word wife. In Gujarati culture, there is always a presumption that wives stay at home, and use that "time" to make a home, take care of children, serve the husband, cook and clean, and take care of the in-laws and other family members who reside within the home. I found this interesting because this is a contrast to Western culture, where a woman is expected to work outside of the household. The mental image of a wife is not presumed to be that of a house wife. Twenty-four hours in a day are not automatically attributed towards care in a home for a western wife.
I'm interested in your idea that the concept of the 'housewife' reflects the implications of a polychronic society. I'd like to hear more about this, because US society is generally not seen as polychronic, but until the 60s the societal view of women was generally that they should be in the home. Can you explain a bit more what you mean?
Time is not a very big issue in Urdu speaking culture. It is not like they do not value time, but it is like that they make their own schedules, and let the time work around it. Also, they are not very strict on being on time on some events such as, parties, weddings, and other festivities. however, they think about being on time or even earlier when there is an emergency such as a funeral, or someone is sick at the hospital or there is an accident etc.
What does this tell us about the values of Urdu-speaking culture in general?
It tells us that relationships, and family matters more then personal desires in Urdu-speaking cultures. For example, if a person is too busy with his work, and has a very limited free time, he/she will still try to make time for his/her family and friends.