March 28, 2007 - 8:07Its about time...

Two and a half years ago I got on a plane headed for Indonesia.  Of the many differences between American and Indonesian culture I had heard about, there was one I was not sure how I would adapt to. It was the Indonesian view of time.  Interestingly, half way through the flight over the middle of the Pacific ocean my watch stopped working.  I figured that event was symbolic of one of the changes I’d be experiencing. 

Indonesians have a phrase called jam karet or ‘rubber time’.  If a particular event is supposed to begin at 6pm, people will start showing up between 6:10 and 6:20 and if things are running smoothly it will begin sometime around 6:30.  If someone has a guest in his home at 11:30am and the host has a 12 noon appointment, there is not question what the Indonesian must do.  Wait until the guest is ready to leave and then be late to the appointment.  It does not matter if the appointment is with another person, that person can wait too.

A few months ago I spent some time back in America, where “the clock comes before the person.” I’m not saying this is the right outlook on life, it was just comforting to know most other people were opperating on the same mindset.  Interestingly, on my return to Indonesia as I entered my rented house I noticed the clock on the wall had stopped moving.  After trying several different batteries I realized the clock was broken.  It was yet another symbolic event to remind me where I was.

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