By: Brian Gonzalez

Advisors:

Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott

Dr. Shigeko Sekine

SHAPING THE CULTURE OF TIMELINESS: UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’

PERCEPTION

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OUTLINE

1. Significance of study

2. Research Questions

3. Research Background

4. Research Methods

5. Research Findings

6. Conclusion

7. Bibliography

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SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY• While in Japan I was told “we don’t want to waste the day trying to get

somewhere.”

• This topic is interesting to me because American and Japanese students have moral and cultural differences.

• I want to find out through this study what influences university students in Japan and the United States to do make decisions regarding timeliness.

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RESEARCH QUESTIONS1. To what extent does a students upbringing in Japan and

America such as Family, Education, and self-belief influence their views on timeliness?

2. How do the situations influence the American and Japanese University student's decision making choices on timeliness?

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RESEARCH BACKGROUND OUTLINE

1. Human perception of time

2. Transportation and role on Timeliness

3. Cultural Perception on Timeliness

4. Cultural stereotypes of timeliness

5. Other cultures view on time

6. Japan, America, and Mexico’s view on timeliness

HUMAN PERCEPTION OF TIME

• “the point or period when something occurs. An appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin, or end <arrived ahead of time>”

-(Merriam- Webster, Dictionary)

• “For most people the way in which we measure time by the calendar and the clock is absolute, and by some it was thought that to tamper with either was to court disaster”

-(G.J. Withrow, Time in History)

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TRANSPORTATIONS ROLE ON TIMELINESS

• “With high- speed bullet trains and densely-packed urban lines, Japan has one of the busiest railway systems on the planet. Billions of journeys are completed every year on a network renowned for safety, speed, and efficiency.”

-(Lauren Said-Moorhouse, The Gateway)

“One of the principal reasons for building the interstate highway system was to support national defense. The system was approved --- during one of the most instable periods of the Cold War. National security dictated development of an efficient national highway system that could move large numbers of military personnel and huge quantities of military equipment and supplies.”

-(Wendell Cox, Investment of the Nation)

CULTURAL PERCEPTION OF TIMELINESS

• “The Japanese traditional reference to dynastic change was gradually suppressed by the universal time of the world history, the socio-economic stages of development, and the western calendar.”

-(Schendel, pg. 94)

“Cultural Values can be obtained from the material students learn at school through the use of textbooks. The views of their nations are introduced at a young age”.

-(Toshie Imada, Cultural Narratives)

CULTURAL STEREOTYPES OF TIMELINESS

• The United States of America- "Money is time; time is money.”

• France – “They are born with clocks in their stomachs, the lunch hour is sacred”

• "In places where economic opportunities are limited, it's easier to give up an hour of work for leisure" -- or waiting.- Russia

• Latin American and southern European nations, hours and minutes seem hardly to matter.

-( Jane Engle, Punctuality)

OTHER CULTURES VIEW ON TIME• The Pirahã Tribe: “This small native tribe of the Amazon rainforest, to even

consider introducing the concept of time to this tribe would be foolish, as their concept of numbers is non existent.”

• The Hopi Tribe: “The Hopi Indian tribe is known for their interesting language: due to its lack of verb tenses and resulting omission of any conception of time.”

• Nomadic Tribes of Afghanistan and Iran: “These peoples of nomadic tribes do not feel tied down by time other than the seasons. ”

• Asian Buddhist Culture: “Although the system of months that so many people live by today is a lunar concept, the strict lunar aspect is sometimes given little thought.” -( Elisabeth Davies, A matter of Time)

JAPAN, AMERICA, AND MEXICO’S VIEW ON TIMELINESS

• “When entering the United States , he would feel his whole being switch to rapid clock-time mode: he would walk faster, drive faster, talk faster, and meet deadlines”

(Levine,1997)

• “In Mexico we are inside the time, we don’t control time. We live with the time.”

(Levine,1997)

• “The Japanese are known to be time conscious people but when it comes time to being part of a meeting they forget about the end time”

(Kido, 2006)

RESEARCH METHODS

Subjects

• total: 60 University Students

• Japanese : 30 University Students

15 male, 15 female, Ages : 18-26

• American : 30 University Students

15 male, 15 female, Ages: 18-26

Research instruments

• Online survey through Google Doc, Use of Facebook

• Japanese Survey

• English Survey

WHAT IS YOUR STATUS IN COLLEGE?

Super Senior27%

Senior53%

Junior13%

Sophmore3%

Freshman3%

American

Senior30%

Junior40%

Sophmore27%

Freshman3%

Japanese

There are more seniors in the American school system because we have what is called the super seniors.

WHAT IS YOUR ETHNICITY?

Hispanic20%

Caucasian6%

Asian8%

African American10%

Other57%

Ethnicity

The American participants have divested background

RESEARCH QUESTION 1

To what extent does a students upbringing in Japan and America such as Family, Education,

and self-belief influence their views on timeliness?

GROWING UP DID YOUR PARENTS EMPHASIZE BEING ON TIME?

Very Often28%

Often41%

Sometimes24%

Not Often 7%

American

Very Often21%

Often45%

Sometimes17%

Not Often 17%

Japanese

The American household has discipline depending on the way the household is ran. Different cultures view discipline differently.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

Being on time was taught at home

My parents would punish me if did not follow my curfew

I would leave early in the morning to get to school

I was punished if I broke promises

My parents would arrive late to everything

76%

33%

86%

30%

27%

17%

43%

11%

47%

27%

7%

23%

4%

23%

47%

American

Agree Nuetral/ So-So Disagree

Being on time was taught at home

My parents would punish me if did not follow my curfew

I would leave early in the morning to get to school

I was punished if I broke promises

My parents would arrive late to everything

67%

60%

63%

60%

17%

3%

3%

3%

13%

0%

30%

37%

33%

27%

83%

Japanese

Agree Nuetral/ So-So Disagree

The children would follow by example . Parents would teach their children at home

DID YOUR SCHOOL HAVE A PUNISHMENT FOR BEING LATE TO CLASS?

Very Often10%

Often10%

Sometimes21%

Not Of-ten

45%

Never14%

Japanese

Very Often23%

Often20%

Some-times30%

Not Often17%

Never10%

American

Japanese children did not have to worry about being late to school because of the way they were raised at home.

IF YOUR SCHOOL HAD A PUNISHMENT, WHAT WAS IT?

Suspended

Had to stay after class

cleaning as punishment

other

38%

44%

3%

15%

0%

9%

26%

65%

Types of Punishment

America Japan

The punishment in the schools depended on the type of school that students attended.

BEING ON TIME WAS EMPHASIZED BY YOUR SCHOOL

Often

Sometimes

Not Often

90%

10%

0%

70%

7%

22%

American Japanese

American students had to be reminded to be on time.

I AM OKAY BEING LATE TO:

To a meeting10%

Class21%

social gathering45%

an event17%

Other7%

American

Class22%

social gathering32%

an event43%

Other3%

Japanese

The way in which the children are raised at home and the influence of the schools in which the children attended have an impact on their attitudes towards timeliness.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ON TIME IN YOUR CULTURE?

Ethnicity Expected time of Arrival

Quote

Mexican American

At least 1 hour late “MEXICAN time definitely exists. A time is set expecting everyone to show up at least an hour later.”

African American Always late “In African-American Culture, there is a joke that deals with being on time. Its called "Colored/Black Time" in where you arrive "Whenever you feel like it”.“

Caucasian 5 minutes early “Growing up in a Caucasian household, you're considered on time if you arrive right at the expected time (or 5 minutes early, for good measure).”

Caucasian About 10 minutes late

“On "Jewish standard time" everyone runs about 10 minutes later than normal time.”

Asian American None “In the Chinese culture, being on time or early shows respect, especially when you are meeting your elders. “

other 30 minutes – 1 hour late

“There is such a big I grew up with called "Island time" where most Filipinos are at least half an hour late for everything. My parents never abided by that and neither do I.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ON TIME IN YOUR CULTURE?Category Quote

Types of People “There are two patterns 1) People who worrywart (They always feel the need to be on time) 2) There are a lot of punctual people in Japan, and then I have to be punctual.”

Self Image “To be punctual shows a good faith and you are more trustworthy.”

Society “Daily life for public transportation is on a basic schedule. My sense of being on time is natural. We are taught this growing in to adult hood therefore it is natural that everyone thinks this way.When hanging out with study abroad students, I was surprised that people showed up late. I even had to cancel and that brought my confidence down.”

Consideration “I think we are on time in order not to be a bother to the other party. Japanese people are always busy (in their culture) therefore there are a lot of situations where you should be punctual. When going to a meeting, and interview, or an exam you need to be punctual in order not to get in trouble and try not to be a bother to others.”

Preservation “It is necessary to be punctual in order to preserve human relations”

Good Relations “To promote human relations this is necessaryThis is necessary in order to get trust from people”

SUMMARY RESULTS OF RESEARCH QUESTION 1

• The results show that whatever the students learned in their household translated into their attitudes in school.

• The views of students on punctuality in college is a reflection of the type of punishment they received in their previous schools.

• Society plays a big role in emphasizing timeliness and reinforced students’ societal expectations.

RESEARCH QUESTION 2

How do the situations influence the American and Japanese University student's decision making choices

on timeliness?

HOW DO YOU THINK SOCIETY VIEWS BEING ON TIME?

You need to be punctual

29%You need

to be early46%

Arriving a few minutes late is

acceptable7%

It is not ac-ceptable to be

late18%

Japanese

You need to be punctual

33%

You need to be early

20%

Arriving a few minutes late is

acceptable33%

It is not ac-ceptable to be

late13%

American

In the Japanese case, they have an efficient public transportation system; therefore they are expected to be on time.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE?

About 5 Minutes7%

About 10 Minutes18%

About 15 Minutes54%

Other21%

JapaneseAbout 5 Minutes

4%

About 10 Minutes25%

About 15 Minutes32%

Other39%

American

Japanese culture is more willing to wait longer than Americans.

MY DECISION MAKING CHOICES ARE INFLUENCED BY:

my surroundings

my family

friends

my mood

my ablity to never be late

82%

79%

71%

77%

31%

14%

14%

14%

8%

28%

4%

7%

14%

15%

41%

American

Agree Nuetral/ So-So Disagree

my surroundings

my family

friends

my mood

my ablity to never be late

79%

83%

71%

71%

97%

7%

0%

14%

11%

3%

14%

17%

14%

18%

0%

Japanese

Agree Nuetral/ So-So Disagree

Both Japanese and Americans agreed upon family and society having an impact.

YOU ARE HAVING A FAMILY REUNION, HOW EARLY DO YOU ARRIVE?

15 minutes early14%

10 minutes early32%

5 minutes early 21%

other32%

American

15 minutes early21%

10 minutes early21%

5 minutes early 46%

other11%

Japanese

In the America even though there is the use of cars and public transportation there is still the tendency to arrive late because there is more leniency.

HOW LONG ARE YOU WILLING TO WAIT FOR:

5-10 minutes

10-20 minutes

20-30 minutes

Longer than 30 minutes

7%

17%

33%

43%

23%

40%

30%

7%

7%

31%

24%

38%

23%

47%

27%

3%

American

Close Friend teacher boyfriend/girlfriend co-worker

5-10 minutes

10-20 minutes

20-30 minutes

Longer than 30 minutes

7%

10%

48%

34%

3%

14%

41%

41%

3%

10%

41%

45%

7%

24%

48%

21%

Japanese

Close Friend teacher boyfriend/girlfriend co-worker

Japanese and Americans are more likely to wait for someone they already know.

YOU HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW AT A LOCATION THAT TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION , HOW EARLY DO YOU LEAVE?

American following cultural norm arrive in advance for further preparation while the Japanese are confident in their public transportation.

1hour early3%

1 1/2 hours early43%2 hours early

50%

other3%

American

1hour early7%

1 1/2 hours early52%

2 hours early41%

Japanese

IT IS NECESSARY TO ARRIVE SOMEWHERE EARLY,

When You have a job interview

When you have a project due

When you are meeting someone for a date

When you are meeting a mentor

other

100%

97%

69%

100%

0%

89%

70%

48%

63%

19%

Occasions to be early

Japanese American

For Japanese it was meeting a mentor and a job interview the reason for being on time. American only saw a job interview as the main reason for being on time.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS• Japanese and Americans are more likely to wait for someone they know like

their friends, significant other, or a teacher.

• The Japanese will only wait a certain amount of time because in their culture being early is being on time so they have no need to wait longer. Americans are more accepting of the fact people will be late because everyone is different.

• If it is something important like a meeting with a mentor or a job interview both cultures agreed that everyone needs to be punctual, but Japanese see the need to be early based on the efficiency of public transportation.

CONCLUSION• The environment plays a big role in the attitudes the students have towards

punctuality and what they expect of others.

• The Japanese live in a homogenous society so they can easily agree on what punctuality means while Americans have diverse heritage so they have different views on punctuality.

• There are many factors that play a role in how students view timeliness but it all started at home and their culture supports the decisions they make everyday.

DISCUSSIONImportant Findings

• Society has the power to change people’s attitudes on timeliness

• In the United States, heritage has an influence on the way students view being late.

Limitations of the Study

• Participants are limited to College students

Future Study

• Expand study to reflect more different age levels

• Include more scenarios that are relevant to all age groups.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank You very much !!

• Professors: Saito Sensei and Sekine Sensei

• My Family

• Friends

• International Students:

• Kenji Kawasaki

• Naoya Nagatani

• Takashi Yokoi

• Satomi Obuki

• Asumi Takahashi

• Urara Enomoto

• Youta Sugiyama

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Allan, L. G. (1979). The Perception of Time. Perception & Psychosis, 340-354.

Block, R. B. (1996). Beliefs about time: cross-cultural comparisons. Journal of Psychology, 1305- 1322.

Davis, E. (2006). A Matter of Time. Retrieved from Oracle Think Quest: http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01010/timeCultures.html

Engle, J. (2005, December 11). Punctuality: Some cultures are wound tighter than others. Los Angeles Times.

Francisco J. Varela, E. T. (1993). The Embodied Mind : Cognitive science and Human Experiences. Massachusetts: MIT Press.

Frebie, C. (2012). Twins' Paradox and Closed Timelike Curves: The Role of Proper Time and the Presentist View on Spacetime. Spring Science and Buisness Media, 313-323.

Hill, O. B. (2000). Culture and beliefs about time: Comaprisons among black Americans, black Africans, and white Americans. The Journal of Psychology, 443-461.

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Matsumoto, T. (2004). Learning to 'do time in' Japan a study of us interns in Japanese organizations. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 19-37.

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