On our second meeting, Enrico and I met in
the centre of Leuven. We had some relaxing time talking, enjoying our time. Was
about time, indeed.
Well, starting with this topic, let's begin with trying to evaluate the fact
which can help us find a conclusion. Then let's try to make some kind of conclusion,
avoiding to make generalizations.
Our meeting took a flying start!
The reputation of Italian people is not so
good in foreign countries when it comes to time, because we think that Italians
are always late and that they are too indifferent to take care of an
appointment.
But this is not true. I really appreciated talking with Enrico. Even though he
was 5 minutes late, he informed me that it was due to our punctual buses.
Belgian people already got used to this, so we know we should try to take an
earlier bus.
Some Italians, like Enrico, think about
time as a goldmine. They think of the concept of time as money, especially in
business terms. Time is money, literally.
Are Italians punctual? Are Belgians punctual?
Most of the time Italians arent punctual. At least according to Enrico. This
is the same in Belgium, because our society isnt as punctual as we wish it
would be. We tend to be punctual, making others promises to be on time, but we
often dont accomplish this.
As Enrico said: "Well the first things our coordinator said to the foreign
students was to be on time, because here in Belgium they are on time every time".
Enrico experienced the opposite: every teacher arrived late, at least 5
minutes. I have to admit, the teachers arent always on time.
A great difference between our cultures is
the meaning of the verb: ENJOY, in every way!
In Italy, that I visited as a tourist, I
noticed they enjoy their spare time at the most, but they also enjoy their time
while working. When they start their working day, they start several things at
once but they still do their best.
Here in Belgium, we want to finish what we
start, so we dont take too much work for one day, just to be sure that we can
finish it in the best possible way. If we have time left, we would start a new
task, obviously.
Of course, everyone aims to be appreciated for his punctuality. Thats why my
mother taught us that arriving too late is a way of disrespect towards the
other person. If youre going to arrive later than planned and you dont notify
the person you are supposed to meet, you show them their time isnt as
important as yours is. For us, Belgians, I think its quite the same as in Italy.
We want to achieve being punctual. It is a value we learned from our education
background. We tend to be punctual, although it doesnt work all the time.
Time is money is as important in Italy as in Belgium. Being punctual for one
thing, but also to get started on a new assignment.
A lesson for us all: Carpe Diem! Because
life is too short to waste your time
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