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Time

Chronemics – is the study of time –how people use it , interpret it , and understand its passage. We consider chronemics from two perspectives: time orientations and time systems.

Time Orientations- Time orientations refer to the value and importance the members of a culture place on the passage of time. Different Cultures can have very different conceptions about the appropriate ways to understand events and experiences. For example some cultures are past oriented, some are present oriented and some cultures are future oriented.

Past -Oriented Cultures- regard previous events and experiences as important. These cultures place a primary emphasis on tradition and the wisdom passed down from older generations, there is a great deal of respect for parents and elders who are considered as links to past sources of knowledge. Examples of these cultures can be Aboriginal peoples cultures of Canada and the Chinese culture- tribal customs, past family experiences, traditions.

Present -Oriented Cultures- Regard current experiences as most important. These cultures place a major emphasis on experiencing each moment as fully as possible. People of these cultures participate in events because of the immediate pleasure the activity provides. These cultures believe that fate and luck control their lives. For

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example most South American – Central American cultures are usually present oriented and they have found ways to encourage a rich appreciation for the simple pleasures that arise in daily activities.

Future-Oriented Cultures- believes that tomorrow is most important. Current activities are not accomplished ad appreciated for their own sake but for the potential future benefits that might be obtained. For example you go to school, study for the exams, attend your classes regularly so you can graduate and obtain a degree so you can find a rewarding career in future. People from future-oriented cultures believe that their fate us at least partially in their own hands and they can control the consequences of their actions. Examples of these cultures can be Canadian and American culture.

Time Systems

Time systems are the implicit cultural rules that are used to arrange sets of experiences in some meaningful way. There are three types of time systems: Technical, Formal and Informal.

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