What Two Countries Taught Me About Time
Crossing Cultures
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What Two Countries Taught Me About Time
You’d think time is universal.
Sixty seconds make a minute whether you’re in Delhi or Austin. But after living in both countries, I’m convinced that time itself feels different depending on where you are. The way we plan, wait, schedule, and even socialize says a lot about what each culture values.
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One of my biggest reverse culture shocks after moving back to India was how quickly things happened.
Groceries in ten minutes. A plumber at your house in twenty. Dinner plans that somehow get made, agreed upon, and executed within the hour. Friends calling to ask, “Are you home?” when what they really mean is, “I’m outside.”
Months later, it still catches me off guard.
In my experience, life in the US revolved around the calendar. Coffee with friends often meant checking availability a week in advance. Doctor’s appointments were booked weeks out. Grocery shopping became a planned weekend activity rather than something squeezed into the day. Planning wasn’t just convenient; it was a way of respecting other people’s time.
Coming back to India felt like stepping into a different relationship with time. Plans are often just a starting point. A quick errand somehow turns into trying a new cafe you discovered. Friends don’t ask if you’re free next Thursday; they ask what you’re doing tonight. Even though they’ll still show up 30 minutes late -on what I like to call the IST (Indian Standard Time)- there’s also an incredible ability to adapt. Plans change, people adjust, and somehow everything still comes together.
Neither approach is inherently better. One values predictability; the other values flexibility. One protects time; the other leaves room for spontaneity.
But both countries taught me something valuable. And maybe, the best way to spend time lies somewhere in between: organized enough to keep your commitments, but open enough to welcome the unexpected.
