“Time is money” (Franklin: 1864, p.129) – Benjamin Franklin stated those words as an advice to a young tradesman in the book of the same name . It was only one of many pieces of advice Franklin gave in order to achieve success and gain wealth (Carstensen, Busse: 2001). Nowadays, this attitude is still current in some cultures; especially profit-orientated societies, such as the United States, Switzerland, Germany or the Netherlands who see time as “a precious, even scarce, commodity” (Lewis: 2006, p.53). On the other hand, there are cultures which see time in a completely different way – as something that is endless. This exposure to time is culturally dependent; the perception of time, how it is divided and how it is being used varies from culture to culture (Kartarı: 1997).
This work explores the use of and attitude towards time in Germany and Turkey. The working definition of time used in this work, based on Rüsen (1998), is not the physical definition, but the cultural-scientific one: Rüsen defines time as a fundamental determinant of human existence which encompasses the human and its world, thinking and being, internal and external, culture and nature. It is a general and elementary dimension of human life that is being experienced as genesis and decline, birth and death, change and constancy; and which needs to be accomplished as experiences through human interpretations so that human beings are able to orientate themselves within the time in order to meaningfully relate their lives to it. The comparing cultural studies lead to the comprehension that time in form of an anthropological constant which equally correspondents to all people does not exist. In fact, time only has miscellaneous cultural-specific concepts with distinct structures.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 General exposures to time: a theoretical overview
3 Exposure to time in the German and the Turkish cultures
3.1 General Classification
3.2 Analysis and interpretation
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This work aims to investigate and compare the cultural attitudes and perceptions regarding time between Germany and Turkey, utilizing a cultural-scientific framework to understand how different societies value and utilize time in daily life and business.
- Theoretical concepts of time, including linear, cyclic, and polychronic models.
- Cultural-scientific definitions of time as a determinant of human existence.
- Comparative analysis of punctuality, planning behavior, and decision-making styles.
- The impact of globalization and EU-alignment on shifting cultural norms in Turkey.
- Analysis of survey data regarding perceptions of "time is money" and professional expectations.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Analysis and interpretation
When thinking of foreign cultures, everybody has an idea of the people, their habits and patterns. Those ideas are mainly based on experiences, reports and/or stereotypes, with stereotypes usually containing “a kernel of truth” (Stangor, Schaller: 1996, p.27). Thus, Germans are not only stereotyped to be extremely punctual, time-dominated and time-obsessed, they, according to Lewis, “are the most punctual of all peoples” (2006, p.225). Time is one principle of organising life and it is an essential part of the German culture. The polling institute tns emnid found out that most Germans will only accept a delay of a maximum of five minutes and the so-called “academic quarter of an hour” is only accepted by 36% of those interviewed (WELT ONLINE: 2010). The results of the current survey however contradict this finding: only 12.50% of the respondents think that somebody is late when he/she turns up 5 minutes late. In this context the following question comes up: What is punctuality?
Turks, in contrast, should not make a big deal if somebody shows up late – “Important people come late” (Hodge: 2000, p.70). Their interpretation varies from the one of the Germans: While 61.25% of the Turks see a delay of 15 minutes or more as unpunctual, only 50.00% of the Germans think that way. The previous graph shows that, in comparison to the Germans, Turks concede a larger time frame to punctuality. Consequently, what is still punctual for most Turks is not equally punctual for a German.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter provides the foundation for the research, defining time through a cultural-scientific lens and outlining the study's objective to examine time perception in Germany and Turkey.
2 General exposures to time: a theoretical overview: This chapter explores existing literature on cultural dimensions, differentiating between monochronic and polychronic societies and explaining linear versus cyclic time concepts.
3 Exposure to time in the German and the Turkish cultures: This chapter presents the methodological approach of the surveys and performs a detailed analysis of findings regarding punctuality, planning, and professional attitudes in both countries.
Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, suggesting that while cultural differences persist, both nations—particularly Turkey—are undergoing changes in their time perception due to globalization.
Keywords
Time perception, Punctuality, Germany, Turkey, Cultural studies, Monochronic, Polychronic, Time management, Cultural dimensions, Globalization, Decision-making, Linear time, Cyclic time, Professional life, Values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on the comparative study of cultural attitudes toward time in Germany and Turkey, exploring how these perceptions influence behavior and daily life.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include cultural definitions of time, the differentiation between monochronic and polychronic societies, the concept of punctuality, and how globalization influences societal norms.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to understand how the concept and valuation of time differ between the two cultures and to identify potential shifts in these perceptions.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The research uses a cultural-scientific approach, drawing on established theory (Hofstede, Hall, Rüsen) complemented by empirical data gathered through online and direct surveys.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines theoretical frameworks of time models and provides an analysis of survey results comparing German and Turkish attitudes toward punctuality, task orientation, and employment.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Time perception, Punctuality, Cultural studies, Monochronic/Polychronic, and Cultural dimensions.
How is punctuality viewed differently in Germany and Turkey according to the study?
The study finds that while Germans are stereotypically viewed as more punctual, the survey results indicate a more complex reality, with Turkish respondents also placing high importance on punctuality, though with different time-frame allowances.
How has the perception of time changed in Turkey recently?
The research suggests that Turkey has undergone a drastic change in values and norms, becoming more aligned with 'Western' expectations of punctuality and efficiency, partly due to the goal of EU alignment.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Corinna Colette Vellnagel (Author), 2011, The Exposure to time in Turkey and Germany , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/174790
