Indonesians have a term, "jam karet," which translates to “rubber watch” or “elastic clock”, implying a super flexible concept of time. If there's an event at 6 p.m., it's commonly assumed the event won't start until at least 6.30 p.m., making arriving at 6.45 p.m. seem perfectly fine.

 

This habit has become a kind of unwritten rule. Arriving too early or right on time might even elicit jokes about being overly eager as if the norm is not to be punctual. Many people who initially valued punctuality often grew tired of arriving on time because they were often teased or had to wait for others.

 

“I'm not late. You guys are just too early”.

The sentence above could be valid if your concept of “late” and the person you meet are different. According to Edward T. Hall in “Beyond Culture”, the concept of time is divided into monochronic and polychronic.

 

Adherents of monochronic time believe that time flows linearly from the past, present, and future. Since nothing can occur simultaneously, having a well-organized and punctual schedule is crucial. Every event has a unique sequence, and the priority list is made according to what happens first and last. Consequently, monochronic believers think that productivity is more important than maintaining social relationships.

 

If you dislike feeling obliged to rearrange your plans for something that suddenly came up, you lean towards a monochronic viewpoint. You'd likely get annoyed if your carefully arranged priorities are disrupted. On the other hand, those who follow a polychronic time view tend to be better at multitasking. Your schedule and priority list are more flexible and can change at any moment.

 

Comparison of Monochromic and Polychronic Time

 

Punctuality is seen differently throughout culture

Cultural communication expert Deddy Mulyana claims that many Indonesians adhere to a polychronic concept of time. This is a result of the strong sense of community that characterizes Indonesian culture, which leads people to put the needs of others before their own.

 

This is especially true if the request comes from someone in a higher position, like a parent or a workplace superior. It's generally understood and accepted if these figures are late and appointments are often scheduled around their availability. The flexibility of time in Indonesia can be seen from the choice of words when making an appointment, which rarely mentions the exact time. This high-level flexible agreement is probably the origin of the term “rubber clock”.

 

“Around 3 o'clock.”

“Will talk to you when it’s nearly 4 p.m.”

"Let’s meet when we have spare time"

"We'll see later."

 

This habit can indeed be detrimental to many parties. Those who always end up waiting can feel annoyed as their schedules get disrupted, leading to a domino effect. The faithful waiters may grow tired of always waiting and decide not to bother being punctual in the future. Meanwhile, the habitually late may start to feel less social pressure to arrive early, pushing appointment times even later.

 

A Culture Best Avoided

According to Deddy Mulyana, how we value time reflects our character. “If we consistently keep to the appointed time, our commitment to time sends a message about who we are. And vice versa,” Deddy explains in his introduction to Communication Science. Often, being late conveys a lack of consideration for others who are waiting, making you appear to be indifferent to others.

 

This is obviously unprofessional in a work environment. Sure, travel time can be unpredictable, especially in Indonesia with its sudden road works, traffic, and unpredictable weather, making travel time longer even when we’re only covering a short distance. In such cases, it’s crucial to communicate your expected time of arrival accurately. But don’t say you’re on the way when you mean you’re just about to be on the way to the bathroom!

 

Change usually starts with yourself, so here are some tips to be more punctual:

1. If you’ve made plans, don't delay getting ready. Prioritize arriving as soon as possible. Better too early than late.

 

2. Make time for the unexpected. Add at least 25% to the estimated time before the appointment time. For example, if it takes 60 minutes to get to the location, leave 90 minutes before your appointment time.

 

3. Learn better time estimation. We have to know how long it takes us to do something so that our schedules don't collide with each other.

 

4. Prepare the night before to avoid the morning rushes of deciding what to wear.

 

5. Make a priority list and follow it unless there is an emergency.