On Culture Shock...On Time

from October 2010

A lot of people say a lot of things about culture shock. And, I mean, why not add my .02 to the collection? I probably haven't got anything new to add, but I think I'll still talk about it.

First, my lovelies, it is muy importante to understand that the UAE is a Middle Eastern country. (What? I hear you ask, Really? No need to be snarky, people!) What this means is that the culture of the UAE is not time-oriented. It is people-oriented, even event-oriented. Time, timeliness, and silly little things like deadlines are pretty much of least importance, rather than most.

Guys. Seriously. WRITE THAT DOWN. The UAE is a people-oriented, rather than time-oriented culture. Now copy it out 100 or 1 million (or 1 dozen) times until the concept sinks in. Then practice your waiting skills. Because honey, you will wait. A lot. Like right now, when you will have to wait for the rest of this post, as I am at work in my Western time-oriented job, and I have to go punch a time clock two minutes ago.

There. I'm back. As a people-oriented rather than time-oriented person, I missed my scheduled break, in which I was going to write more of this post, and make it about more than just the time issue, but there you go. I was busy chatting with customers, so didn't take my break at the scheduled time, so missed it altogether (because I am still in a time-oriented culture, friends) and now have to blog after work. Which is what I'm doing now. Hello!

Anyhow. Back to the people vs time thing. As I read notes and discussions and other blogs, I'm finding that so-called culture shock is really more of a time shock than anything.

Full Disclosure: I've never lived, worked, or even travelled in the Middle East, let alone the UAE. But I have lived, worked, and travelled in other people-oriented cultures.

Thailand - laid-back, we'll get there when we get there, don't worry, it's okay. Jamaica - almost off the charts in its laid-back approach to life (island time ftw!) Even Ireland, though a Western European country, is more relaxed about time and schedules and things like that. Italy - well, we all know about Italy, don't we? Siesta country is good country; I support the siesta. Actually, even London, where I most recently lived and worked for a year, was less uptight about schedules and times than we are in the majority of the US.

London still falls under the Western time-oriented culture umbrella, though. Dang Protestant work ethic.

I feel at least slightly mentally prepared for the people orientation of the UAE (where, if someone comes into your classroom mid-lesson, you stop and help the person; there is no come back later) in that it is my psychological preference (according to the Myers-Briggs personality test, which you can take in essence here) and a good portion of my international experience.

A number of teacher blogs (see list, right) talk about the frustration with time, solid answers, definite times, schedules, approximate dates, time, deadlines, and time. Also time. Especially wasted time spent waiting for things that may or may not happen.

So let's talk about time.

The best and easiest solution to the culture/time shock is to always bring something to do. An eReader is dead handy when you don't know how long you'll be waiting. A camera or a sketchpad or a quilting block might also work.

Next, start practicing now for weeks of exercises in futility. My recommendation: hang out at the DMV. Better, pretend you're in 1985 and do everything without the modern conveniences of wifi and computers and mobile phones and all the rest. Try reading this page with a super-slow 1990s dial-up modem. Write a letter. Cook meals from scratch without the pleasure of a Kitchen Aid, a microwave, or a reliable stove. Camp. Do these things not because the UAE is backwards, or behind, or not modern (oh boy, are they modern!) or anything so ridiculous. Do these things instead because they will give you a new and more relevant concept of time. Then, for a real glimpse into how time is used in the UAE, repave the sidewalk in front of your house, using a herringbone pattern of different coloured bricks, by hand, stopping daily at around 1, for a couple of hours, then knocking off entirely at 4 or 5. Start in front of your door. Leave piles of things wherever you like, regardless of convenience for people like the postman or your children, etc.

Because some things, like personal convenience, are not of premiere importance. In fact, personal convenience comes way down the list in Middle Eastern culture. Again, not because they're somehow backwards or unworldly (seriously, have you seen Dubai?), but because as a culture they have different priorities. And your personal schedule? It's really no one's priority but your own.

I don't think I can emphasise that one enough.

There's a phrase I'm reading quite often: schway schway. It means slowly slowly, or like the water, or something like that. In essence it means, don't worry, it'll all work out, chill.

This is an important concept for all of us Westerners to bear in mind as we go through the process of interviewing and hiring and starting to work in Abu Dhabi. Just chill. Do what you can, then trust that it'll all work out. Because one way or another, it will.

Promise.