10/15/19; Week 5: Response to " Cultural Differences in Concerning Time.
What category do you belong to? Monochronic or Polychronic? After watching Professor Ivers' video, I can conclude that my whole environment is based on a polychronic paradigm.
Professor Ivers (BYU- Idaho Online Learning) said "M-time, on the other hand, is oriented to tasks, schedules, and procedures"
Considering that I will be an ESL teacher, I think it is very important that I focus my time in a more Monochronic way. Doing this will avoid future headaches when I teach in an ESL classroom.
Now a question assails me. How can a cultural paradigm be changed, when you have grown up believing that what you have been doing is right? I mean "time," I thought that doing more than one thing at a time was outstanding, in a way it is, but when I learned the difference between a Monochronic person and a Polychronic, I definitely realized that a Polychronic person is more at a disadvantage than a Monochronic. (Was this very confusing?)
I want to share a personal story, and although more than 20 years have passed, it made a certain connection with everything I've learned. I remember that my husband invited me to a party that would take place in his work to celebrate the anniversary of the company. (He is a Monochronic person), now I can say it with more property! He told me he would come by me at 6:00 o'clock, and if I wasn't ready we wouldn't attend the party. Well, I immediately thought, "I'll be ready before that time." As we all know inconveniences happen. The only dress more elegant than I had stained when I was doing makeup, I still had two hours ahead to get on time. I decided to go to the mall to buy a new dress. Thinking that I still had time, I went to the beauty salon to fix my hair and leave it better presented. I only had 45 minutes to get home and be ready when my husband arrived. From the mall to my house it only took 20 minutes, so that calmed me down. A few kilometers ahead I see there are many police and ambulance, an accident had occurred. Oh no!! What am I going to do now? Fortunately, the street is expedited for drivers. I got home at 6:15. My husband was already at home. When I walk through the entrance door, to my surprise I see my husband dressed in his favorite jeans, tennis and watching TV comfortably. I think you already know the outcome, right?
When I came to the United States what struck me most was the punctuality of the American people. When they say at 6:00, they arrive 15 minutes earlier. And this has taught me to respect this culture and why not say it to emulate it too.
Considering that I am in the Polychronic category, maybe a paradigm shift would not hurt me. What do you think?
What category do you belong to? Monochronic or Polychronic? After watching Professor Ivers' video, I can conclude that my whole environment is based on a polychronic paradigm.
Professor Ivers (BYU- Idaho Online Learning) said "M-time, on the other hand, is oriented to tasks, schedules, and procedures"
Considering that I will be an ESL teacher, I think it is very important that I focus my time in a more Monochronic way. Doing this will avoid future headaches when I teach in an ESL classroom.
Now a question assails me. How can a cultural paradigm be changed, when you have grown up believing that what you have been doing is right? I mean "time," I thought that doing more than one thing at a time was outstanding, in a way it is, but when I learned the difference between a Monochronic person and a Polychronic, I definitely realized that a Polychronic person is more at a disadvantage than a Monochronic. (Was this very confusing?)
I want to share a personal story, and although more than 20 years have passed, it made a certain connection with everything I've learned. I remember that my husband invited me to a party that would take place in his work to celebrate the anniversary of the company. (He is a Monochronic person), now I can say it with more property! He told me he would come by me at 6:00 o'clock, and if I wasn't ready we wouldn't attend the party. Well, I immediately thought, "I'll be ready before that time." As we all know inconveniences happen. The only dress more elegant than I had stained when I was doing makeup, I still had two hours ahead to get on time. I decided to go to the mall to buy a new dress. Thinking that I still had time, I went to the beauty salon to fix my hair and leave it better presented. I only had 45 minutes to get home and be ready when my husband arrived. From the mall to my house it only took 20 minutes, so that calmed me down. A few kilometers ahead I see there are many police and ambulance, an accident had occurred. Oh no!! What am I going to do now? Fortunately, the street is expedited for drivers. I got home at 6:15. My husband was already at home. When I walk through the entrance door, to my surprise I see my husband dressed in his favorite jeans, tennis and watching TV comfortably. I think you already know the outcome, right?
When I came to the United States what struck me most was the punctuality of the American people. When they say at 6:00, they arrive 15 minutes earlier. And this has taught me to respect this culture and why not say it to emulate it too.
Considering that I am in the Polychronic category, maybe a paradigm shift would not hurt me. What do you think?
Hi Sandy! I think it's so challenging to change paradigms. I am more monchronic, but want to be more polychronic. Your story about the dress reminded me that I need to be more open to seeing things from someone else's perspective. Thanks for your post!
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