Culture is fascinating! Did you know that we fast-paced U.S. Americans didn’t really become time conscious until the Industrial Revolution? It was then that we needed schedules, timetables and agendas which had to be strictly followed in order to accomplish the goals of commerce. To us “time is money” and we say it all the time! Other cultures less oriented to time and accomplishing tasks and more in tune with the people around them and how they are connected, view time in a more fluid way. To us time is a commodity which is saved, spent, wasted, and managed. Meetings should begin and end on time and agendas are in place so as not to take us off topic, because that will throw off our timing!! Deadlines are everywhere and must be met. We are very linear in our attachment to time. In cultures, like those of the Middle East and Latin America, things are often accomplished because of “who” is involved. Therefore people become much more important than tasks. In these cultures making sure that my network is connected or that the group has reached consensus are more important elements for moving forward especially when there is a decision to be made. It is not easy when a Monochronic U.S.A. does business with a Polychronic Brazil or India. How can we bridge this gap and foster good feelings between the cultures? Global LT’s Cultural Training Programs - Orientation to Time