Time is a human concept, thus, it makes sense that it is a cultural norm. Human beings are social animals, wanting to belong to a group. We learn behaviors from our elders and pass them along to our youth. We are who we are because we learned it from someone. Our mother, father, aunt, uncle, cousin, neighbor, or friend did something a certain way, and we liked it. Thus, we followed their habits, and we became a unified culture.
I consider Americans to be rather punctual people, valuing appointments, schedules, and arriving on time. However, I do think that most Americans accept a 5-10 minute window of error; a few minutes to allow for traffic, weather, or spilling coffee on your suit as you're walking out the door. On a social level, as long as there isn't a dinner reservation pending, most Americans will arrive to a gathering at their leisure (within reason). If I schedule a party at 8, I expect most guests to show up by 9. We call it, "fashionably late."
In Chile, they had a system called "tiempo chileno." Although this did not apply to working situations, it was very common in social settings. Someone will invite you to a party, and if you show up on time, you might catch them in their robe and slippers, sporting sponge curlers in their hair. When they scheduled the party for 8, they had absolutely no expectation of guests arriving before 9, and all of the guests understood these intentions, as well. Except, perhaps, the goofy gringo who arrived on time, trying to make a good impression.
Koreans, on the other hand, are the most punctual people I've met in my life. On-time in Korean means 10 minutes early. It is very difficult for a "oi-gook-in" like myself to comply with this social norm. I prefer to enjoy the nightlife and sleep in. I guess, when you can't beat 'em, join 'em... or rather, when in Korea, do as the Koreans do. I might not be in Korea, but it sure feels like it sometimes when I am within the walls of this little suburban business complex.
I learned many things while I was abroad, but one of the most astounding realizations to me was that I had a culture. I always thought that Americans were void of culture. We are a melting pot, after all, comprised of people from all over the world, with the freedom to be and do whatever we want. But that's just it. That is our culture. We are a culture of individualism. We want our own car so we can drive wherever we want. We want to live alone and do things our own way. It's not uncommon for someone to have lunch by themselves or have a drink alone at the bar. We're independent, and sometimes we're late, because we don't think about the community as a whole. We think about me, myself, and I.
And since we're talking about making the donuts, I'd like to mention that I find it rather humorous how quickly foreign cultures adapt to the fast food culture of America. Korean America runs on Dunkin', as well as Mickey D's and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I guess culture is alive and changing, as well. It evolves just like we do, although I think it's a fat chance they'll ever be late when it's time to make the donuts!
