Time Strategies

• Determine time orientation: present, past , or future, for example:
  • African Americans tend to be more present-oriented.
  • Chinese Americans tend to be more past and future oriented.
  • European Americans tend to be future-oriented.
  • Filipinos tend to be past, present and future-oriented.
  • Iranians tend to be present and future-oriented.
  • Mexican Americans tend to be present-oriented.
  • Navajo Americans tend to be present, past and future-oriented (in that order, with very little future planning)
  • Vietnamese tend to be past-oriented.
• When visiting or meeting, inform person when you are coming.
• Be on time; avoid surprises.
• Ask people from other regions and cultures what times are appropriate, what they expect or prefer.
• Be familiar with the times and meanings of ethnic and religious holidays.