Current Time in JalalAbad
Kyrgyz culture regarding time
Kyrgyz culture regarding time
Lifestyle that begins with sunrise
With a background of a life rooted in agriculture and livestock farming, people, especially in rural areas, still have a sense of time that is in line with nature, starting their activities with sunrise and ending their days with sunset.
Different sense of time in urban and rural areas
In cities such as Bishkek, people tend to be relatively punctual, but in rural areas, people tend to be more flexible and respond according to the situation at the time rather than the scheduled time.
Meal and gathering times vary
For meals and events with family and relatives, it is common to be about an hour late from the time of the invitation, and strict start times tend not to be emphasized.
Kyrgyz values regarding time
Valuing connections with people over time
Since polite interactions with people are more important than being on time, slight delays and changes in plans are not considered a big problem.
A culture where tolerance and flexibility are valued
Not being too tied down to a schedule and acting according to the other person's convenience and environment is valued as "consideration." In some cases, it is more important to read the mood than time.
How to use time to prioritize family
The idea of prioritizing family and relatives' matters over work is deeply rooted, and such circumstances are often understood in the workplace.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Kyrgyzstan
Public institutions and businesses are relatively strict about time
In urban government offices and companies, punctuality is generally required. Be careful not to be late or cancel without notice, as it will damage your credibility.
Consider the departure and arrival times of buses and other public transport as a guideline
Local buses (marshrutkas) and long-distance transport may not always depart on time, so you need to act with ample time, assuming that they will not run according to schedule.
Meals and visits are expected to be delayed
When visiting a home or dining out, if you arrive at the scheduled time, they may be preparing, so arriving a little later may be appreciated.
Interesting trivia about time in Kyrgyzstan
Weddings and festivals continue late into the night
Traditional Kyrgyz weddings and festivals start in the evening and usually continue with singing and dancing until late into the night, with vague ending times.
Radio is still in use to tell the time
In rural areas, radio is more valuable as an information source than the Internet, and regular news and time signals are useful for managing time throughout the day.
Be careful of "TV program broadcast times" due to the time difference
Since we receive a lot of foreign satellite broadcasts, the start time of programs may differ from local time, which can be confusing if you are not used to it.