I am a nerd for all things communication and when I came across the term ‘Chronemics’ in one of my textbooks, I knew it was something in which we all needed to pay more attention. Chronemics is the study of time and how one perceives it, uses it, and reacts to it. It has more to do than just someone running late or being on-time as it cuts deep to our core as people and as a society.
Many countries and regions across the world can be described as monochronic or polychronic when it comes to how they see time. Parts of East Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Arab countries are classified as polychronic. These groups tend to be very relationship-driven and can focus on many different tasks at once. It is normal in these cultures to be late and no one takes it personally as time is merely a guide. You’ll see strong relational and community bonds in these regions where storytelling and goal setting are popular.
In the US, UK, Germany, Japan and Canada, these would be classified as monochronic cultures. There is an intense focus on the schedule, getting things done, results, privacy, and practical relationships. There is a lot of linear thinking and people are expected to be on-time and respect the clock. These folks are relationship-driven as well as long as they serve a purpose in the long-run.
There are exceptions to every rule and even people within these cultures will switch to the other side. Monochronic cultures became that way as a result of industrialization, business, and the bottom line. America was born as an expansion colony that spread its wings from coast to coast. America continues to be the world leader in business, Hollywood, and culture. We are always keen to take-in one thing and then move on to another thing. Many monochronic people can function like this by compartmentalizing their behaviors, actions, and even interactions. On the flip side, polychronic cultures often have a deeply-rooted history where humans had to focus on the seasons, planting and weather. This causes a ‘go with the flow’ attitude and a willingness to take in many stimuli at once and still function effectively.
The point to all of this is that chronemics and time go deep. Just like they reveal so much about a culture, they can reveal a plethora of information about yourself and your relational partner. How we view and see time cuts to our core and is usually a direct result of our environment. Couples can use this information to dive deeper with their partners to better understand who each person is and why they might act or think a certain way. This opens up a whole new world of meaningful conversation and relational satisfaction.