How different time concepts of two different cultures can cause problems between two communicators
Communication can be difficult especially across cultures. Different cultures each have their own rule sets that facilitate communication even amongst the cultures themselves even though we do not know them. Time is a concept of concern since it varies communication between cultures. All of us are individuals and most likely it is possible that we belong to different cultures. Because of that it is guaranteed that we respond differently with respect to time. Now this is where the problem comes in, time difference. When people of two different cultures communicate, it is like they get into a time warp in which behavior confounds and words confuse. Behaviors every member of a culture is mandated strictly by their culture. In relation to the prior, the different behavior that different cultures require has a communicative meaning thus the misunderstanding happens. In this essay the reason for all this is going to be looked at.
Because in different cultures people are accustomed to think and behave in different ways, thus their particular perceptions of time are also different. Different uses and measures of time that are prevalent now cause the problems in communication between different cultures. Cultures can negatively react to some traits of time of other cultures since they think that maybe it might be informal, and inefficient when in fact, it is proof of a different life philosophy.
Different cultures think of time differently. Some view it as a quantitative, precious, or even linear commodity. Therefore, time is either to be saved, spent, or wasted. Others view it as either being synchronic or sequential.
Time is viewed as a precious and as a quantitative commodity. There are cultures that insist on saving time like the Americans, hence to them time is related to money where ‘time is money’. Clocks in such cultures reign supremely. If one compares this to cultures that spend time like the Mexicans, time relates to activity. These cultures live at a pace that is in the moment and is slower. Life is viewed as an opportunity and not money. Therefore living for time is equal to living for nothing. The differences that this creates is what now brings in the problem in communication, since each culture has a different perspective of how time and life should be.
Time is also viewed as either being sequential or synchronic. Sequential cultures like English, North America, Dutch, Swedish, and German, pay full attention to a matter in hand one agenda after the other. This cultures are monochromic, as in they deal with one thing after another. They are not used to doing a number of things at the same time which will mix them up.
Synchronic cultures like Asia, southern Europe, and South America are used to handling a number of things at the same time. They cannot just do one thing at a time like the monochromic cultures. They are said to be polychromic. One will find out that they talk to a number of people at the same time. In relation to this if someone from a monochromic culture converses with the one of a polychromic culture, the one from the monochromic culture will feel ignored since concentration of the person they are talking to is not on them and hence communication problem arises from there. However, for a person who is from the polychromic culture they take it as being usual and not being impolite.
Inclination to the present, future, and past is another concept of time that varies through cultures. Sequential cultures are certain that the future can be influenced by individual effort. However there are a lot of factors that vary in the future, they therefore favor short-term plans. Synchronistic cultures understand what is present and therefore prepare for ones future. Thus the problem in communication comes in where one side favors durable bonds that moves back and forth through time while the other does not hence disloyalty comes in and it does not favor things hence obstruction in communication.
In relation to the previous aspect personal relationships are also of consideration. In polychronic cultures, personal relationships are built over time. This means that the parties involved have to be in contact a number of times in order for trust to be built. In monochromic cultures it only takes a short time to develop personal relationships hence people are in contact for a few times. Because of the two different views on personal relationships the problem of trust comes in and communication can be hindered.
Concern for another cultures time is also another aspect. On one hand, monochronic cultures assume that conversations should be short and go directly to the point considering that the other person also has to save time. On the other hand, polychronic cultures assume that conversations are lengthy where the well-being of the other person is of importance and hence they take long asking about other things before going directly to the point. Thus a polychromic person will therefore view as the brief meeting with a monochronic person as an impolite and cold person without considering that the other person is trying to save the time of the other person. Moreover, this is where the problem in communication comes in.
Punctuality is also another aspect. Other cultures like the western cultures are very time conscious and arrive for meetings at the required time. They see it as being polite and arriving late is a breach of etiquette. Other cultures like the Mexican view arriving of time as a breach of etiquette which is the opposite of the prior culture discussed. They say that arriving on time is might embarrass the one hosting since they may find that the host is not ready. This is almost the same as the African time. They say no hurry in Africa and this resulted to the concept of the African timer. The African timer is always late for every meeting and is not punctual at any time. Therefore when the two different cultures plan on meeting there will definitely be a problem in communication as one is for time and the other is not for time.
When people of different cultures meet it is vital to have in mind that difference in time perception is only but a difference. The difference of a culture does not make it defective. Conclusively one should uphold a logic of humor and cultural relativity.
