Early in 1994, President Clinton was once late for a meeting
on national affairs. This resulted in fierce criticism by the press. Being
late means you lack the ability to manage time, they pointed out; if you
can't manage your own time, how can you manage the affairs of state?
In the face of this sharp criticism, Mr. Clinton was careful
to attend future meetings on time. But a few months later, he was late
again. Of course, it did not escape the attack of the press. Articles
such as "Look at This Guy - late Again" topped the papers again.
Is this sort of relentless criticism of the president's tardiness
too tough? Isn't it a little too fussy to complain about the busy president's
occasional tardiness? Americans don't think so. America is a society on a schedule. Whether it's a personal appointment
or a public conference, the starting time should be exact. Those who are
late are often considered lazy and inconsiderate and they lose the trust
of others. In personal relationships, a friend may be lost, in business,
an opportunity.
The reason why American are so concerned about time is that time
is connected to efficiency. In the fast pace of America, people fill their
schedules to the limit.
Nobody can patiently wait for half an hour beyond the designated
time, because the next item on the timetable would be affected. Being
late means losing opportunities and diminishing efficiency.
For purposes of my visit to the United States, my American friends
planned my schedule as they would an American's. Sometimes, in one day
there would be two meetings in the morning and two meetings in the afternoon.
And these meetings were not at the same place; there were considerable
distances between appointments.
After one meeting, I had to get to the next one within half an
hour. Once I got there, we would exchange "hello's" and then plunge right
into the topic at hand without much additional greeting. During the talk,
we all looked at our watches now and then in order to determine what other
subjects we would discuss in the remaining time.
When we finished, the host allowed us to leave without attempting
to persuade us to stay longer. We all had other things to do.
We depended on our map to reach the next appointment location
within half an hour. Fortunately, in the U. S., the street signs are very
clear. The signs not only indicate the name of the street but also the
range of numbers on that particular block, a real convenience for foreigners
who are looking for a building. Generally, the destination can be reached
within half an hour.
But one time in New York, an accident occurred on the subway;
the train didn't come at all. Sonia and I were forced to take a taxi.
"I hope we're not going to be late," Sonia said anxiously. As soon as
we got out of the taxi, Sonia pulled me up the stairs in a run. In the
end, we weren't late.
After I came back to China, a cultural affairs officer at the
U. S. Embassy asked me what I thought of the visit. I recalled this sort
of intense arrangement. Then she asked if the USIA should develop a more
relaxed schedule for future visitors. I said they shouldn't. Foreigners
should get the chance to experience the rapid rhythm of American life
and the U. S. Concept of time - that's the real America.
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