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Becoming A Master Student, Concise, Tenth Edition
Dave Ellis
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Chapter 2: The Concept of Time
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Time is not an absolute object. The concept of time in any given culture is largely a product created by beliefs, tradition, and values. In some cases, time is thought of as cyclical: it is unstructured and is based on what is going on at the moment, rather than as a scheduled object. Others view time as a mechanism: a concrete entity which is fixed, which can be divided in to schedules and can be wasted.
Similarly, cultures also tend to think of the passing of time in different ways as well. A society can be oriented towards a specific view of history. Many cultures, such as British, Native American, Greek, French, Japanese, and some other Asian cultures, tend to view the past, cultural history, and traditions as having the most importance, and use them as a guide in making present-day decisions. These cultures tend to resist change and take a long-range view of events. Some cultures are present-oriented, and see the present moment as the most significant. Tradition holds little importance, and planning for the future is not emphasized, but rather spontaneity and impulsiveness are more appreciated, and lifestyles tend to be relaxed and casual. Examples of this point of view can be seen in the Philippines, Latin America, and may countries with an Islamic tradition. Other societies can be future-oriented, and place a firm focus on planning and forward movement, and the present activities are viewed as a bridge to this future goal. This is the dominant tone in the United States.
How a person views time can be reflected in the way they interact with others. Someone with a focus on the future will hold schedules and appointment times to be very important, as they are necessary for moving on to the next step. However, someone who lives more in the present may view a designated meeting time as flexible. In Italy and in many Arab countries, it is normal for people to be 30 minutes late for a meeting. This is in sharp contrast to the United States or Britain, for example, where lateness is accepted only up to 5 or 10 minutes. In Japan, lateness of any interval can be seen as very insulting.
The concept of time, and it's flexibility, meaning, and even the nature of its existence is something intricately woven into the fabric of any culture. It is very important when entering into an engagement with someone, whether socially, academically, or in a business setting, to realize that they may have a different approach to the significance of deadlines and schedules. No one can be right or wrong in their approach, but still people can be inadvertently insulted as a result of a misunderstanding.
Think about how you personally regard time. Do you arrive to class on time? Do you regularly arrive on time to meet family and friends? Being on time or early can help make good first impressions. If you arrive early , use the extra time to your advantage. Review class notes or vocabulary flashcards. And if you arrive late, it never hurts to apologize.
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