Current Time in Oman
Culture of time in Oman
Culture of time in Oman
A calm and relaxed sense of time
In Oman, "taking your time" is considered a virtue, and there is a very relaxed sense of time in private gatherings and daily life. Being late for an appointment is often not a big problem.
Prayer time is the basis of life
In Oman, where the majority of people are Muslim, the five prayer times a day are the axis of daily rhythm. Work and conversations may also be temporarily suspended to coincide with prayer times.
Time allocation to avoid the heat
Activities tend to be concentrated in the morning and evening to avoid the heat of the day. In some stores and facilities, people take a longer break in the afternoon, and a life cycle divided into morning and evening is common.
Values regarding time in Oman
Human relationships take priority over time
There is a culture that values respecting others and comfortable interactions more than keeping to the time of an appointment. It is not uncommon for conversations to drag on and plans to be flexible.
Being late is acceptable as a matter of courtesy
At official events and parties, it is common etiquette to arrive 30 minutes to an hour late from the start time, and atmosphere is more important than strict time management.
Value a natural life
The Omani people have a deep-rooted value of not being too tied down by time and living in accordance with the rhythm of themselves, their families, and the community.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or relocating to Oman
Punctuality is required in business situations
International businesses and public institutions are very conscious of time, and being late to meetings or appointments can damage your credibility, so be careful.
Public facilities often close at the regular time
Public services such as banks, government offices, and medical institutions close at the regular time, so you should act with plenty of time when visiting.
Be careful about Friday and Ramadan times
Friday is a Muslim day of worship, and many facilities may be closed in the morning. Also, during Ramadan, business hours tend to be shortened and activities shift to the night.
Interesting trivia about time in Oman
The whole country is accustomed to "Arab time"
In Oman, there is a term "Arab time", which means "a flexible sense of time that is not strict". A relaxed flow of time is prevalent throughout the region.
Daylight saving time is not adopted
Oman does not adopt a daylight saving time system, and the same time zone (UTC+4) is used throughout the year. It is also an environment with little confusion for travelers.
The habit of taking a nap (kairul) takes root
Especially in hot seasons, there is a "kairul" culture of taking a short nap after lunch, which plays an important role in increasing the efficiency of afternoon activities.