| Who Cares What Time It Is, We Have Each Other | | | | questioned, because everyone also agrees with the |
| American culture is quite different than Hispanic | | | | value that a relationship makes it OK to be late. |
| cultures, which are Latin in root. Obviously there are | | | | As we talked, Caleb got increasingly hungry. Hal got |
| strengths and weaknesses between the two cultures. | | | | him a menu, and I thought we were making a special |
| American culture is work-centered, and time is linear | | | | exception for him, but soon everyone was looking at |
| and a carefully divided. Hispanic culture is | | | | menus! It took a lot of years for me to learn this |
| relationship-oriented, and time is organic and flexible. Of | | | | cultural principle, and that is the quality time spent with |
| course, these are general observations only and there | | | | important friends or family are more important that |
| are always exceptions. | | | | being to the next scheduled commitment. Our Outlook |
| Our friends Hal and Cheryl took us to the top of some | | | | calendars would be used as guidelines, and would not |
| rugged, green El Salvadoran mountains to a restaurant | | | | rule over us to dictate our every minute. Time is not |
| hidden among the coffee plantations called Cabana de | | | | linear but it is organic and flows naturally, and |
| Aponeca. It was a long drive to get there and mostly | | | | promptness is based on the relationships and people |
| on narrow, winding roads. We got out to stretch our | | | | you are with. It can be unacceptable to leave for |
| legs. Flocks of green parrots, fluttered overhead, and | | | | another engagement before a natural ending time |
| iridescent blue and purple butterflies magically filled the | | | | presents itself. |
| air and hundreds of them were also sitting on the | | | | If you think Oscar and Pati were offended that we |
| ground with wings folded together. It was supposed to | | | | arrived very late, and not as hungry as we could have |
| be an afternoon trip and then we would return to | | | | been, think again. They know this and it is acceptable |
| Oscar and Pati's house for dinner. At least that was | | | | to go with the flow and not be on time. In America, a |
| the plan. | | | | late worker offends his boss and co-workers, and |
| We ordered colorful drinks of coconut, guava, lemon, | | | | may be thought to be lacking in character, and had |
| orange, and talked and reminisced about old times. Hal | | | | better have a good excuse. If we come late to a |
| and Cheryl were Americans who had lived in El | | | | meeting, we apologize, and there are actually degrees |
| Salvador for 25 years and had established a large, | | | | of apologies needed, depending on how late you are! |
| growing institute where people learn life skills, life | | | | Being late by one, or two, or five, or ten, or twenty |
| principles, and values for living. | | | | minutes warrants increasingly deeper degrees of |
| It was a privilege for me to be there to teach on the | | | | apology. It can range from a sorry look or a verbal |
| topics of finances, stewardship, planning, and | | | | 'sorry', to a verbal 'I'm really sorry' or 'I am really sorry |
| micro-businesses and home businesses. As time went | | | | and here is why..." It is interesting to see that some |
| on, my son Caleb got very hungry, though we just had | | | | people are not ruled by the clock or calendar, but by |
| lunch several hours earlier. I reminded him that Oscar | | | | love or obligation to friends and family. |
| and Pati were having us over for dinner in a few | | | | Obviously there are strengths and weaknesses in |
| hours. | | | | each system. One culture may sacrifice family |
| You know, we Americans generally make a plan, stick | | | | relationships but efficiently manufacture anything under |
| to it, and watch the clock. If we are late to work and | | | | the sun and dominate the economic landscape. The |
| we see someone we know, the tendency is to quickly | | | | other culture may foster close nuclear and extended |
| say "Hi", and say something like "I'm late for work, can't | | | | family ties that not only define who they are but |
| talk now." In America this is accepted as normal and | | | | develops ties that becomes a strong social security |
| they let us go. It says "work is more important than | | | | safety net. One culture tends to have less-connected |
| you right now." Time is a commodity. It is divided up, | | | | families and friends, and the other is has an economy |
| measured, plotted, and tracked. Time is "money" and | | | | that may plod along more slowly. Examining these |
| we "live to work." | | | | differences may help each culture strengthen its |
| Our American values are quite different than Hispanic | | | | inherent weaknesses. |
| values, which are Latin in root. If I met a friend on the | | | | Frequent trips to Latin America have made me |
| way to work then I'd have to stop and talk because | | | | re-evaluate work, relationships, and other values as an |
| the relationship is more important that the clock, or the | | | | American. I believe I could use a little more time with |
| next meeting. The relationship is the most highly valued | | | | friends and family, a little more relaxing at the coffee |
| commodity. It would be an insult to say "I can't talk | | | | shop, and learning more of the art of conversation. But, |
| because I have to go to work." Why? Because the | | | | it's important to stay relevant to the culture one lives in, |
| message is interpreted as "You think your work is | | | | and since I live in America I'll try to be on time for that |
| more important than me as a person" How differently | | | | dinner date. It helped me to also be more |
| we view the world. A late worker may not even be | | | | understanding when my Hispanic friends are late. |