Current Time in Impfondo
Culture of time in the Republic of the Congo
Culture of time in the Republic of the Congo
The flow of time is perceived flexibly
Time is not strictly controlled in the Republic of the Congo, but tends to be considered flexibly. Relationships and situations take priority, and it is not uncommon for plans to change.
It is common to be late for appointments
For meetings and appointments, it is common to be 10 to 30 minutes late. Therefore, meetings rarely start exactly at the appointed time, and a culture of tolerance towards time is rooted.
Time for prayer and religious events is emphasized
Influenced by Islam and Christianity, time for prayer and religious events is particularly important in daily life. Work may be temporarily suspended during this time.
Values regarding time in the Republic of the Congo
How to use time to prioritize connections with people
In business and daily life, there is a culture that emphasizes human relationships and dialogue over schedules. Therefore, it is common for conversations to drag on and pass the time.
The value of "living in the moment" is strong
People tend to value events in front of them more than the future, and in many cases, they value decisions made in the moment more than long-term planning.
Working hours are mostly during the day and end at sunset
Due to lighting and traffic conditions, people generally work during the day and refrain from activities after sunset. There is not much of a culture of working late into the night.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to the Republic of Congo
Take appointment times as a guideline
There is little strict awareness of time, so it is important to anticipate some delays when planning meetings, visits, etc. Locals accept that "being late is normal."
Opening hours of shops and government offices can be irregular
Opening and closing times may change without notice, especially in rural areas. Shops are relatively likely to be visited from morning to early afternoon, and are often closed after the evening.
Traffic jams and infrastructure delays can affect things
Traffic jams are common in urban areas, making it difficult to travel on time. When going out or making an appointment, you need to plan ahead and allow plenty of time.
Interesting facts about time in the Republic of Congo
The term "African time" is used in everyday conversation
The term "African time" is often used to describe a culture in which people are not blamed for being late. This term symbolizes the flexible handling of time.
National TV news is sometimes delayed by more than an hour
Television show times are only a guideline, and in reality they can start much later. Broadcast schedules also tend to be flexible.
Events such as weddings are also often delayed by several hours
It is common for events to start 2-3 hours after the start time written on the invitation, and guests gather slowly with that in mind. Atmosphere is more important than time.