Current Time in Barouk
Lebanese culture regarding time
Lebanese culture regarding time
Flexible sense of "Arab time"
In Lebanon, a flexible approach to time, called "Arab time," is common. It is not uncommon for people to arrive late for an appointment, and there are many situations in which a delay of several tens of minutes is acceptable.
Social time at the center of everyday life
There is a culture that values time with friends and family very much, and conversations often go on longer than planned, and schedules are often changed due to sudden invitations.
Changes in time due to religious events and worship
Lebanon is a country with religious diversity, and in some areas the rhythm of life changes significantly to match Christian and Islamic events. Worship and mass times are particularly important.
Lebanese values regarding time
Emphasis on human connections over time
Values that value trust between people and the atmosphere of the place rather than punctuality are deeply rooted, and people who are too concerned about time may be seen as "cold."
Flexibility is a sign of maturity
Being unfazed by changes and unexpected events and being flexible in your response is seen as mature, but being punctual is not necessarily appreciated.
Being late is rude, but there is a wide tolerance range
Even in business situations, being 10 to 15 minutes late is often not seen as a problem, and as long as you contact the other person, it is tolerated.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Lebanon
Appointment times should be flexible
Even if you meet on time, the other person may be more than 30 minutes late. It is important to leave some leeway in your schedule and be flexible.
Relatively punctual in public institutions and large companies
Public institutions such as government offices, banks, and airports tend to operate on time, so you need to act according to plan.
Traffic jams and traffic conditions affect the sense of time
Chronic traffic jams occur especially in urban areas such as Beirut, and people are often delayed from their scheduled travel times, so it is necessary to allow extra time for travel.
Interesting trivia about time in Lebanon
Late meal times
In Lebanon, it is not uncommon for people to have dinner after 9 p.m., and the tradition of enjoying a long, leisurely meal with family and friends has taken root.
Coffee time before business meetings is standard
Before business meetings, it is essential to chat over Arabic coffee. It is common to have 15 to 20 minutes of small talk before getting to the main topic of the meeting.
Introduction of daylight saving time and confusion
In Lebanon, there is political turmoil over the introduction of daylight saving time, and it is subject to change from year to year, so caution is advised.