Monochronic vs Polychronic

S.U.A. vs Italy
 Monochronic vs
Polychronic
A monochronic time system means that
things are done one at a time and time is
segmented into precise, small units

A polychronic time system is a system

where several things can be done at once,
and a more fluid approach is taken to
scheduling time.
 U.S.A. vs Italy
1. Italian businesses open and close
whenever

In America, businesses have set

business hours. If you come between
those hours, you expect the business to
be open.
But, in Italy, thats not always the case.
2. Say goodbye to to-go food.

Americans are constantly running

around. They drink their coffee as they
are sprinting to work and stuff their
face with food as they walk or drive.

But, its not like that in Italy. Getting

to-go food in Italy is very hard, and the
places that do offer it are extremely
touristy
3. Italians walk, Americans run.

There is nothing more frustrating than

trying to get to work when there are a
bunch of people slowly meandering
down the street in front of you. The
streets in Italy are tiny; you can barely
fit two people side by side on the
sidewalk.
4. Italians value relationships, Americans
value promptness

Americans show respect in their relationships

by being on time. If theyre supposed to
meet at 8, they are there at 8.

Italians, on the other hand, will put a note on

the door saying Out to Lunch. It is okay to
be late as long as it was in the interest of
maintaining a friendship with another
person.
5. Time perceptions

In USA work is sought out to be done,

"time is money" where in Italy time is fluid.

In USA personal relations in making a deal

is not of importance.

In Italy, they must develop trust relations

with the other group before they begin
working. Relationship is valued over time
and material things.
6. Spatial perception

American people are very reserved

and prefer their personal space
protected.

In a business aspect, a special ritual is

not required when meeting potential
business partners.
7. Making decisions
Italian business people usually consider
the specific situation rather than applying
universal principles.

The Italians are often uneasy with change

and reluctant to take risks.

If you expect them to support a risky

decision, you may need to find ways for
them to become comfortable with it first.
8. Meetings

Monochronic business people cannot

understand why the person they are
meeting is always interrupted by
phone calls and people stopping in
unannounced.

Polychronic businessmen cannot

understand why tasks are isolated
from the organisation as a whole and
measured by output in time instead of
part of the overall organisational goal.
In the business world, monochronic
countries have led the economic progress
in the 20th centurywhich is why the
standards of the best behavior are
definitely skewed towards monochronic
cultures.

As more and more polychronic countries

enter the global business, it becomes
important to understand how they
perceive time so that you do not lose
valuable business or friendship
opportunities by taking their behavior for
the face value.