Time…

what is it with Arabs and time?

since I’m ana Arab myself, I wonder at the weird connection between Arabs and time. We rarely be at time! and I tried to look for the reason beyond this underestimation of time; social conception for sure- when we were children we were told that everything can wait. your friend invites you at 3pm for her birthday party but you show up at 4pm. At wedding the women boast up about arriving late like queens. the more you arrive late the more you’re regarded highly. My uncle says to my father: come by my house on noon or in the early hours, with no specific date and hour whatsoever.

Once I called my teacher’s house his wife answered and said that I should call again after five minutes, with every second passing I got stuck in the dilemma should I call after 5 minutes percisely? or was it a metaphor so I can call later after half an hour for example maybe he’s in the shower and she won’t say it, maybe I should call on time to show my earnestness… and it goes on.

This vagueness and uncertainity in our answers make it impossible to be on time and to respect it.