It’s amazing how adaptive we humans are. Our surroundings explain so much about us: our pace, our priorities, our lifestyle. Last week in class we analyzed the unique contexts of how we organize time. Hall managed to simplify the distinctions into two categories: monochromic and polychromic. This being said, I am a firm believer that these categories are not concrete. Each and every day millions of people walk the line in between the two ‘worlds’ of time. How can I be so sure? Plain and simple, I’ve done it…
It’s relatively easy to switch it up when everyone around you is doing it. Studying abroad offers this type of scenario. I will be the first to openly admit and promote monochromic scheduling, but when I was forced into situations in both Nigeria and Argentina, where p-type runs rampant, it was easy to become a convert. On one hand, Life is less demanding when left to happen instead of forcing it to. But, as a m-time dependent person, it took time to not feel unproductive and frustrated. I’m not trying to say that one type is better or more productive, these are just by own perceptions and conclusions according to my own social construction.
This is all fine and dandy, but it begs a deeper question… In this period of skyrocketing integration caused by globalization (and by globalization I’m referring to the spread of Western ideologies to non-Western nations) is m-time being forced on p-timers? Yes.
I’m reminded of a conversation with one of my best friends in Nigeria. I was talking to him about ‘trads’ (traditional clothes) and I asked him why he didn’t where them more often. He responded by noting how he would have to wear a western suit at an interview at a respectable firm. For men, suits are the clothes of international business, of ‘sophisticated’ business, of successful business. To me, this is globalization. M-time is the time of western business. Bottomline. Western business is frustrated so those firms who confirm to m-time will survive and flourish. Eventually, p-time will die out… courtesy of globalization.
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Sam highlights the loss of culture at the expense of globalization, and hits the nail on the head in saying that because of the frustrations of Western culture, polychronic culture is bent into monochronic rigidity when a non-western country wishes to compete intentionally.
ReplyDeleteHowever, a notable development within the business world is the rise of international, Sharia-based investment and banking firms. Though the system is comprised of more western norms and tradition than Islamic, it represents an alternative to the strict Western model of business. Carbiou Coffee is one great example of a business thriving internationally outside of these confines, having been created according to the Sharia business ethics.
I do not believe that there will be some great rise of regional business standards competing internationally, but it is interesting to observe in at least this case.