Current Time in Nouakchott
Mauritanian culture regarding time
Mauritanian culture regarding time
Flexible sense of time
In Mauritania, punctuality is not very important. Being late is common, and flexibility is required.
Lifestyle to avoid the heat during the day
As the temperature in this region is very high, people may take a long lunch break, and many activities take place after the sun goes down.
Prayer times determine the rhythm of daily life
The Muslim faith is deep, and prayer five times a day is at the center of life, and work and school are sometimes scheduled around prayer times.
Mauritanian values regarding time
Human relationships are more important than time
There is a culture that values connections and relationships with people more than punctuality, and it is not uncommon for conversations to drag on for a long time.
A relaxed sense of time
In Mauritania, taking it easy is more important than rushing. The "slow and steady wins the race" mentality is evident in everyday life.
Religious awareness of time
Daily activities are based on prayer times, so there is a different rhythm to general timetables.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Mauritania
Don't be too strict about appointments
There is a relaxed attitude toward the start time of appointments and meetings, and being 15 to 30 minutes late is often not considered a problem.
Long lunch break, more activity in the evening
Lunch breaks are sometimes taken from 1pm to 4pm, and shops and government offices may close temporarily. Activity is more active in the evening.
Prayer times need to be considered
When the adhan (call to prayer) is played from the mosque, many people head off to pray. It is wise to avoid meetings or work during this time.
Interesting trivia about time in Mauritania
The expression "Mauritanian time"
Sometimes people jokingly call "Mauritanian time" when they are late from the scheduled time.
In the desert, the real action starts after sunset
Especially in the desert, people sometimes gather and start their activities after the sun goes down, and the night is more lively.
A sense based on the sun rather than the clock
Many people understand the flow of time by "the height of the sun" and "prayer times," so a clock is not necessarily necessary in Mauritania.