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Punctuality: A timely discussion of time

守时：对时间的及时讨论

Ah, punctuality - the art of being precisely on time. It's a concept so ingrained in some cultures that even being a minute late can induce a small-scale panic attack. But is punctuality essential? Let's delve into whether punctuality is the hallmark of a superior society or merely another arbitrary construct.

啊，守时——正好准时的艺术。它是一些文化中根深蒂固的一个概念，甚至迟到一分钟也会引发小规模的恐慌。但守时真的很必要吗？让我们深入探讨一下，守时是否是优越社会的标志，或者只是另一个任意构建的概念。

Each part of the world has a unique relationship with time, adding a rich layer to our global cultural tapestry. Consider Japan, for example, whose people have elevated being on time to an Olympic sport. You're always expected to arrive on time, and preferably a few minutes early. Miss a train by a minute? Tough luck, but the next one will be there precisely on the dot.

世界各地的每个地方都有自己独特的与时间的关系，为我们的全球文化织锦增添了丰富的层次。例如，日本人把守时提升到了奥林匹克运动的高度。你总是被期望准时到达，最好提前几分钟。仅差一分钟错过火车？那就自认倒霉吧，但下一班车肯定会准时到达。

Contrast this with the approach to time in the Philippines, where punctuality is often more of a suggestion than a rule. If someone says they'll meet you at 3 pm, you may be able to comfortably stroll in around 3:30, knowing they'll probably arrive at the same time. This relaxed attitude toward time is not a sign of laziness but rather an indication of a culture that values living in the moment. Many Filipinos even use the phrase "Filipino time," which means it's flexible. Who could argue with that kind of wisdom?

与此形成对比的是菲律宾对待时间的态度，在那里，守时往往更像是一种建议而非规定。如果有人说他下午3点会见你，你可能可以在3点半左右悠闲地散步，知道他们很可能会在同一时间到达。这种对待时间的放松态度并不是懒惰的标志，而是一种文化价值观的体现，这种文化重视活在当下。许多菲律宾人甚至使用“菲律宾时间”这个词，意思是灵活的。有谁能质疑这种智慧呢？

But does being punctual make a culture more advanced? The Swiss are renowned for their precision and punctuality, often cited as the epitome of efficiency. Their trains run on time, their watches are the gold standard, and you could set your clock by their daily routines. And Switzerland is often ranked as one of the most developed and happiest countries in the world, but let's wait a bit to conclude.

但是守时会让一个文化更加先进吗？瑞士因其精确性和守时而闻名，经常被誉为效率的典范。他们的火车准时运行，手表是黄金标准，你可以根据他们的日常作息来校准你的钟表。瑞士经常被评为世界上最发达和最幸福的国家之一，但我们稍后再做结论。

Consider the case of Brazil, where "Brazilian time" is a well-known concept. There, being late is not only accepted but expected. If you attend a party at the specified time, you'll likely find the host still in their bathrobe. Many Brazilians have a laid-back approach to life. They don't sweat the small stuff like running five minutes late because they're busy enjoying life. Many live by the motto, "Tudo bem," which means "It's all good." Honestly, they seem to be onto something.

考虑一下巴西的情况，“巴西时间”是一个众所周知的概念。在那里，迟到不仅是可以接受的，而且是预期的。如果你按指定时间参加聚会，你很可能会发现主人还穿着睡衣。许多巴西人对生活持随遇而安的态度。他们不会因为迟到五分钟之类的小事而焦虑，因为他们忙于享受生活。许多人信奉“Tudo bem”这句格言，意思是“一切都好”。说实话，他们似乎抓住了某些东西。

Then there's India, where time is seen through an entirely different lens. The idea of "Indian Standard Time" (IST) is often playfully dubbed "Indian Stretchable Time." In this context, punctuality is flexible, and events or meetings commence when everyone has arrived rather than strictly adhering to a scheduled time. This elastic approach reflects a culture that prioritises relationships and experiences over rigid schedules, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.

然后是印度，在那里，人们对时间的看法完全不同。“印度标准时间”的概念往往被戏称为“印度可伸缩时间”。在这种背景下，准时是灵活的，活动或会议在所有人都到达后开始，而不是严格遵循预定的时间。这种弹性的做法反映了一种文化，这种文化将人际关系和体验置于严格的日程安排之上，从而培养了一种纽带和理解。

So, is punctuality essential? It depends on who you ask. In cultures where time is widely perceived as money, such as the U.S. or Japan, punctuality may be widely seen as a sign of respect and efficiency. But in cultures that may place a higher value on the present moment and human connection, being a few minutes (or hours) late is generally no big deal.

因此，守时是必要的吗？这取决于你问的是谁。在像美国和日本这样的国家，时间被广泛地视为金钱，守时可能被广泛地视为尊重和效率的标志。但在那些可能更重视当下时光和人际关系的文化中，迟到几分钟（或几小时）通常不是什么大问题。

Whether you're a stickler for punctuality or more laid-back, what truly matters is how you spend your time. Are you enjoying the journey or constantly watching the clock? Let's try to find that middle ground where we can respect others' time while embracing the joy of living in the moment. Ultimately, time is just a construct, and life is too short to stress about being late.

无论你是严格遵守时间的人还是更随性的人，真正重要的是你如何度过你的时间。你是在享受旅程还是一直在看时间？让我们努力找到一个平衡点，既尊重他人的时间，又拥抱活在当下的喜悦。归根结底，时间只是一种构建，生活太短暂，不值得为迟到而焦虑。

So, the next time you're running late, take a deep breath, smile, and remember: Tudo bem. It's all good.

所以，下次你迟到时，深呼吸，微笑，记住：Tudo bem。一切都好。

【Source】www.psychologytoday.com

【Translated by】Spark Liao (廖怀宝)

【Illustration】From Bing