In what he refers to as "The Irrelevance of Time in Nepal", this nepali writer expresses the opinion that this question of TIME SOMETHING in Nepal is the biggest single issue for Westerners to get a hold of when visiting this country. For full reading of NEPALI TIME click:
www.newnepaldream.blogspot.fr/2013/12/a … nepal.html
In that article, he puts forward the thesis that if you are not in total harmony about the irrelevance of time here, you will be frustrated each day you are here until you leave. But then, and most fortunately, he goes on to advise to be "be diligent" on this issue, and most constructively offers good and valuable tips and ways as to how foreign visitors can cope with the problem.
It is interesting because international experts, too, appear to have done much research on this subject of what they will commonly refer to as "Time Discipline in Different Cultures" and conclude that in countries like Pakistan, India, Tibet and Nepal - where traditionally many people will often share large homes or attend group/social functions with their extended families - the pace in such countries is slow - and the people there "take a much more relaxed attitude toward TIME" This, they add, will be in sharp contrast, with what they call a highly individualistic "future oriented" country like the USA, for example, which leads to a "TIME IS MONEY" mindset.
Experts' correlation studies also show that "in almost all cases...the wealthier the society, the faster it tends to MOVE"
(Footnote: For the World Bank, it is a matter of record that Nepal is Asia's 3rd poorest country)
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In my personal experience, I think it is true that we have to adjust to conditions here and that includes doing our best to accept "nepali time" if we are to avoid frustration, confusion, misunderstandings, disappointments etc. Nepali time obviously bears no relation to Swiss or Germanic time or exactitude, to be sure! It is important to know that in Nepal, TIME is very lax, so when for example a nepali person on nepali time says "I'll be there at 2 p.m." basically, he means: "when I get there" or "if and when I can get there"!!
For foreigners who are trying to do large business here, like these friends of mine in the wholesale business or other buyers from New York, London or Paris, time is of the essence for them with timely deliveries abroad of any quantity orders they place here in Nepal. I am not talking about small retail stuff, but orders large enough to fill a 14-20 foot container or more, which then has to be shipped via Calcutta, by sea, and where shipping alone may well take say 1-2 months additional. Typically, these kinds of big buyers will be well aware of the above and be ok. I know at least two foreign companies of this type who, mindful of the TIME problem here will typically place their orders in Nepal as early as April, in order to receive the goods in September/October, with plenty of leeway time for the oncoming Christmas season....all because of this time problem here!
But let's just say that doing large scale business in Nepal does require much careful advanced planning, and nothing here in Nepal can be left to chance.
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Add to the above, TIME OFF in Nepal - and for details of this other phenomenon impacting the economy and business in general - I would refer them to what another nepali writer, Manish Jha - and what he had to say when he reported that Nepal tops the list of countries with the greatest number of public holidays with 36 days a year.
For details, click: www.nepalitimes.com/regular-columns/Eco … breaks,788
Like Manish Jha says and I quote this excerpt: "An average civil servant or office goer in Nepal has 36 days off a year, and is also entitled to a 15 day annual leave, 12 days casual leave, and six days of sick leave - bringing the total number of holidays to 69. With most people working barely 244 days in a year, productivity is seriously affected."
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Unless my maths are wacko, 365 minus 244 translates into 121 days of TIME OFF p.a.
And 121 days = Four (4) months of time off/absence from work in any given year?
If this information is correct, I must admit I find it surprising. I was not aware of it.
Comments anyone?