BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

conversations at the same time, and frequent interruption by other speakerlisteners).
The way of using the time language is correlated with:
- time precision
The time is something precious and personal and when somebody
tries to organize out time it shows the status difference. To come in time or
not to meeting shows the attitude of the interlocutor in regards of the
speaker or the subject, perception of the status and power, the respect and
importance paid. The more people are made to wait, the more they feel
humble and disrespected.
In different cultures the punctuality means different times to come
to a meeting or appointment. In some countries like China and Japan,
punctuality is considered important and being late would be considered as
an insult. However, in countries such as those of South America and the
Middle East, being on time does not carry the same sense of urgency.
Americans come earlier in order to accommodate themselves to
the space and prepare for the discussion. British and Swedish come exactly
in time in order to prove efficient time management, French come a little
later in order to make the interlocutor a little nervous to be easier to
manipulate.
Thus the time language can be used consciously or not to control
and subdue or to communicate respect and interest.
- time lack
The time is perceived as a personal scarce recourse therefore the
way how the person allocates it to another person who requires a part of
this recourse shows the attitude of the subject regarding the demander.
Miss-allocation of time for communication with a person is considered as
miss- allocation of importance. Some sociological researches proved that a
positive communication relation is built in direct proportion with the
frequency.
- time as symbol
This aspect is related to certain usuality, like rhythm (for example
we eat three times a day at a certain hour). Similarly seasons impose some
certain activities and a certain life style. Holydays and rituals also are
marked in time. Thus businessmen know that in the period of winter
holidays people spend more money and work less.
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