Concept of Time in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, time can be very subjective, and is one of the lists of Kyrgyzstan culture, customs, and etiquette. You'll discover that arriving late for an occasion can be either polite or suitable, depending on the context. Here is a "rule of thumb" approach to help you decide when to be early, on time, or late. Situations and general guidelines:

• An appointment: Be on time (the person you are meeting might be late);
• Lunch with friends: Be on time/few minutes late
• Business lunch/dinner: Be on time;
• Dinner at friends: 10-30 minutes late.

The idea of time is foreign to Kyrgyzstanis, who also lack the discipline to keep time. They frequently arrive late for meetings, professional dinners, conferences, and a variety of other occasions. For someone who loves his or her time, it can be really annoying, but be ready for that. Another cultural difference that you would need to acknowledge, if not accept. You'll discover that you are accustomed to creating a daily schedule and making an effort to adhere to it. That is practically unattainable here. The automobile can break down, or someone might try to hold you up, offer you tea, and act angry if you decline. There is a narrow line to tread; one is to resist the urge to give in and say, "Listen, you were meant to be here at 2, now it is three, and I do not have time to meet you now," or to grow used to having a jumbled schedule every day. You need to locate the line that lies between them. You will only experience frustration and anger if you strive to uphold the standards that you are accustomed to. If you choose to drink tea and find that on every occasion you wind up accomplishing nothing, finding a happy medium is difficult.

Why do they constantly arrive late? The lack of punctuality and disregard for time shown by those close to you in Kyrgyzstan may be very upsetting to you. This would be particularly valid in the context of "guesting." Either the hosts will be prepared and the guests will be on time, or the hosts won't be prepared and the guests will be late. Keep in mind that time is not money in this region of the world; rather, it is viewed differently. Being a little more patient is the ideal response in cases like that.