Is "on time" the same everywhere ?

In #Switzerland, being on time is not just a habit, it is a social contract. In the land of precision watches, lateness is seen as outright rude. I once had a colleague who was consistently 15 minutes late. Over time, he became the person who was always late, a reputation that unfortunately stuck with him until he eventually left the company.

Compare this to India, where time is often more flexible. Here, being late is rarely a personal offence; it’s an acknowledgement of the many variables at play. Family commitments, sudden religious processions blocking traffic, or last-minute work demands — any of these can shift schedules in a way that Swiss efficiency simply doesn’t account for.

Even in professional settings, the meaning of “on time” can change. A 10 a.m. meeting might start at 10:15, not out of disrespect, but because relationships and context often take precedence over rigid punctuality. At the same time, deadlines can be absolute in certain industries, requiring a different kind of time discipline.

Neither approach is inherently right or wrong, it’s about understanding the context. We at StrengthMiner® Consulting LLP help in giving your intercultural team context, and prepare them for possible challenges that can help them understand each other better.

So, what does time mean in your culture? Have you experienced a moment where time meant something different than you expected? Share your thoughts!