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Time culture in Turkmenistan
Time culture in Turkmenistan
Tolerant of time in daily life
In Turkmenistan, there is no need to be strict about time for daily appointments and gatherings, and being 10 to 30 minutes late is not considered a problem. Time is treated flexibly in a culture that emphasizes human interaction.
There is a certain awareness of time in public places
Government agencies, educational institutions, and medical institutions generally operate on time, but in many other situations, there is an atmosphere that some delays are tolerated.
Religious and traditional events affect the rhythm of life
Islamic prayer times and traditional festivals (such as Nowruz) can affect the daily plan of action, and these times are important in life.
Values regarding time in Turkmenistan
Time sense that prioritizes human relationships
There is a tendency to prioritize conversations and connections with people in the moment over being punctual. Being friendly and considerate is more important than being punctual.
"Taking a leisurely pace" is considered a calm attitude
There is a culture that emphasizes careful and polite behavior rather than efficiency and speed, and rushing can be seen as immaturity or recklessness.
The time of seniors and superiors takes priority
In families and groups, it is common to act according to the schedule and pace of seniors and people of higher status, and social consideration is reflected in how time is used.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Turkmenistan
Public institutions are relatively punctual
Government offices, hospitals, schools, etc. have a relatively punctual culture, so foreigners are expected to act on time. If you are late, you may not be able to process or check in.
Rural areas and private shops tend to be flexible
Compared to urban areas, rural areas tend to be flexible about business hours and schedules, and closing times may vary.
Delays due to traffic jams and other disruptions are expected.
The transportation infrastructure is not perfect, so it is best to plan your travels with plenty of time. Beware of morning and evening congestion, especially in urban areas.
Events and gatherings often start later than scheduled.
Weddings and local festivals often do not start exactly at the scheduled start time, and participants are expected to act according to that.
Fun facts about time in Turkmenistan
The expression "Turkmen time" is used.
Locals jokingly refer to "Turkmen time" as a way of referring to everyday delays, symbolizing their open-mindedness towards time.
Nowruz (the Vernal Equinox) is the day when the sense of time changes throughout the day.
Nowruz, which originates from Persian culture, is an important festival celebrating the arrival of spring, and is a day when "auspicious times" such as dawn and noon are strongly emphasized.
In desert regions, the movement of the sun is used as a clock
In rural and nomadic areas, people sometimes do not use modern clocks, but instead determine the approximate time by the position of the sun, and a sense of time that is consistent with living in harmony with nature remains.