PARIS III
Coming from Mexico, my understanding of time and time concept was different before I arrived in Germany (and later moved to Liechtenstein) for my studies.
In Mexico, “time is flexible” and being half an hour late, is still considered to be punctual. If at an invitation to a birthday party, the beginning is marked as 7 p.m. showing up at 9 p.m. would be considered just fine. Everybody is always late with everyone, and no one seems to be annoyed about that fact and doesn’t take it personal. As long as you say that you are going to be “al ratito” (that means in a little while, whereby “a little while” can be anything from 5 minutes to half on hour), no one is going to start to look at their watch. Sure, it changes in course of the time and especially in business settings more and more punctuality is nowadays the norm, however, “Time is money”-concept still isn’t about Mexico. Putting more emphasis on the presence not rushing and just enjoying the moment, even if it means to be late - it is something Mexicans just cannot help.
In Germany and Liechtenstein on the other hand, the rule of thumb is that it is better to be five minutes early than one minute late. Being late, especially in business or if you have an appointment, is considered to be very unpolite and rude. You must have a good excuse, why you didn’t make it on time, then being late offends their sense of order, of tidiness, of planning. And being ten minutes there before the meeting starts, isn’t considered on time, it is considered to be late. This goes along with their so called “protestant work ethic”, where just spending time with an outcome, is measured a quality spend time, hence being even 5 minutes late means less work can be done and hence, ultimately less outcome. “Time is money”-concept perfectly works in this societies.
France is a mixed of this tow poles and I really like it!
Unlike in Germany or Liechtenstein where everything has a timely beginning and an end, in France time schedule is seen more relaxed and more weight to personal interactions and relationships is given. Although France has a tighter time frame for being on time or being late as in Mexico, you would still normally have a “15 Minute grace period” for scheduled appointments before you’re considered to be late. This applies to personal appointments as well as for business occasions. Especially in business life, the deadlines are usually negotiable, and conclusions are not to be hurried. However, there is also an exception to this
relaxed time approach – and that is when a meal is involved. Here the French know no pardon. If you are invited to a lunch at noon and it is scheduled to last for about two hours until 2 p.m., you’ve better be on time for that first number, however reserve plenty of extra time considering the “2 p.m.”-number, since it can take quite a bit overtime to finish the lunch. Enjoy the food, taste the wine, and just relax by letting the world go by.
Since I spend quite a few years already in Germany and study now in Liechtenstein, the French approach toward the time, was first distracting me. I went to all my appointments at scheduled hour, arriving even some time before, as learned in Liechtenstein. However, soon I realized the somewhat relaxed attitude toward punctuality by French people and remembered Mexico. Although I like the punctuality of Liechtenstein, I am reminded here in France, that sometimes being late, is just human and not a failure. You can be late and still achieving your results by just working more efficient toward the desired outcome. I also like the attitude regarding food culture and time spend on that. Just to be relaxed and not rushing, enjoying the moment with tasty food and excellent wine surrounded by friends or colleagues, gives you peace of mind and after such an event, you can work even more productive and effective.
In conclusion I would like to say, that this is a unique experience for me: Being on one end of the time frame in Mexico where the hours are blurry and the time frame is flowing, to a very strict and punctual system in Liechtenstein, now I am truly enjoying my days in Paris with somewhat mix of both of these cultures.
And as a saying in Mexico goes “When God made time, he made lot of it”, I would like to conclude with these words: take your time and enjoy your life.
Alejandro Rosales Romo, Spring 2022