Current Time in Ísafjörður
Icelandic culture regarding time
Icelandic culture regarding time
Life rhythms that differ greatly between summer and winter
In Iceland, the hours of daylight change drastically depending on the season. In summer, it is light almost 24 hours a day due to the "midnight sun," and in winter, the sun only rises for a few hours, so life rhythms are adjusted according to the season. In particular, people tend to naturally spend more time active in the summer.
Tendency to be relatively loose with time
Even among the Nordic countries, Icelanders are tolerant of time, and it is often not a big problem if they are a little late for an appointment. In particular, being 15 minutes late for a private appointment is considered to be within the acceptable range.
Life that emphasizes the rhythm of nature
They tend to emphasize a life that is in tune with the rhythm of nature rather than artificial time management. It is not uncommon for plans to change depending on the weather or natural conditions.
Icelandic values regarding time
Emphasis on human relationships over efficiency
They tend to value human relationships and conversations in the moment more than punctuality. Even if a meeting or appointment runs longer than expected, rushing someone may be considered rude.
Prefer flexible time management
There is a value in being flexible and responding to the situation rather than strict schedule management. This is especially true in the tourism industry, where the weather is a major factor.
Emphasis on work-life balance
There is a culture of valuing private time over long working hours. It is common to leave work on time, and there is a tendency to clearly separate work time from private time.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Iceland
Be punctual in business
People are tolerant in private life, but are expected to be punctual in business situations. Punctuality is especially important in international transactions.
Business hours change between summer and winter
Business hours of tourist facilities and restaurants vary greatly depending on the season. Please note that business hours are often shorter in winter.
Weekends are especially quiet
Many stores and services are closed or have shorter hours between Friday afternoon and Sunday. This is especially true in smaller towns.
Fun facts about time in Iceland
There was a time when there was no official "time"
In medieval Iceland, there was no official concept of time, and people determined the time by the position of the sun and the behavior of livestock. Clocks only became widespread relatively recently.
The summer and winter solstices are special days
The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the winter solstice, the longest night, are still recognized as important holidays. Especially on the eve of the summer solstice, there are large celebrations.
A country without time zones
Iceland uses UTC+0 all year round and does not observe daylight saving time. This means there is no need to adjust the clock depending on the season.