March 24

【Text】

Time-oriented cultures

The Western world, particularly North America and Western Europe, is strongly time-oriented. Events take place at specific, scheduled times. Appoints are kept to the minute, with perhaps a five-minute leeway.

In time-oriented cultures, time is linear and limited. Imagine time as a conveyor belt carrying boxes past. Each box represents a segment of time. One must pack as much as possible into each box before it slips into the past. Time must be "manage" well-otherwise it may get "wasted". And everywhere, people are "running out" of time.

Event-oriented cultures

In event-oriented cultures, meetings begin when everybody arrives and finish when all the business is done. Events are scheduled to begin "after dinner" or simply "tomorrow". This laid-back lifestyle characterizes people in Arab, African, Latin American and Southeast Asian countries.

Here, time is cyclical and unlimited. It begins anew every day, following the motion of the sun. Because time is unlimited, people in event-oriented cultures tend to value relationships more. Schedules quickly get set aside for a friend in need or even just a friend met on the street.

【Word Bank】

leeway (n.)
缓冲；余裕
Our boss gives us some leeway on when to arrive for work. If we're a little late, that's OK.

segment (n.)
部分
This book is split into three segments, each on a different topic.

characterize (v.)
显示出…的特性
Thai cuisine is characterized by lots of spices and seafood.

set aside (v.) 置于脑后；丢在一旁
They decided to set aside their personal differences and work together.

【More Information】

linear (adj.)
线性的；线形的
Logic is solving problems in a linear way.

conveyor belt (n.)
输送带
The objects slowly moved along the conveyer belt in the factory.

cyclical (adj.)
循环的
The seasons of the year follow one after another in a cyclical pattern.

【译文】

以时间为导向的文化

西方世界，特别是北美和西欧，极度地以时间为导向。事件在特定、安排好的时间进行。约会是以分钟为单位来遵守的，仅有大概五分钟的缓冲。

在以时间为导向的文化中，时间是线性且有限的。相像时间是个载运箱子过去的输送带，每个箱子都代表了一部分的时间。在箱子向过往消逝之前，人一定要尽量把箱子塞满。时间也要被「管理」，否则就会「浪费掉」。此外，各地的人时间都「不够用」。

以事件为导向的文化

在以事件为导向的文化中，会议在每个人抵达后才开始，在一切事务处理完后才结束。事件是安排在「晚餐后」才开始，或干脆排在「明天」。这种轻松的生活方式显示了阿拉伯、非洲、拉丁美洲和东南亚国家人民的特性。

在这些地方，时间是循环且无限的。每一天都是新开始，跟随着太阳的运行。由于时间是无限的，在以事件为主的文化中的居民倾向于重视人际关系。一个朋友有需要，甚至是一名在街上邂逅的友人，都会让行程表被迅速地置之脑后。