There are so many cultural differences around the world but the way different cultures view time can be big one. Especially if you are trying to understand or interact with that culture.
Some cultures namely the USA, Canada and Europe are what is called Monochronic, which means people who do things one at a time, and in a planned order, a schedule as you would say.
Whereas places like Latin America are known as Polychronic, which means often attempting many tasks simultaneously. For example a manager's office in a polychronic culture typically has the door open, a ringing phone and a meeting all going on at once. Their primary concern especially those closely related to them are people and the relationships they build during their life.
People who are used to a schedule the monochronic business people don't understand why the person they are meeting with, who is polychronic, is always interrupted by phone calls and people stopping by unannounced. We usually, the monochronic people, find it insulting that we don't have their undivided attention. Similarly the polychronic employee of a monochronic business will find all the closed doors cold and uninviting.
No one is trying to be rude or uninviting it is just the cultural norm.
Being able to recognise whether you are dealing with a polychronic or monochronic society and how time and relationships are valued is crucial to being able to communicate effectively across cultures.
What are your thoughts on Monochronic and Polychronic? Which one are you?
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