Being "on time" seems like a universal concept until you step into a multicultural meeting room. In one culture, arriving five minutes early is the gold standard. In another, showing up fifteen minutes late is still considered polite. These differences in time perception aren't arbitrary; they are rooted in deeply ingrained cultural values. As Richard D. Lewis illustrates in When Cultures Collide, punctuality or the lack thereof sends strong messages about respect, priorities, and worldview.

Linear-active cultures: time is a valuable asset

In linear-active cultures such as Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the U.S. time is seen as a measurable, linear progression. Schedules are planned carefully, and sticking to them is seen as a virtue. Delays are perceived as signs of inefficiency or even disrespect. As Lewis explains in When cultures collide: "Switzerland and Germany, along with Britain, the Anglo-Saxon world in general, the Netherlands, Austria and Scandinavia, have a linear vision of time and action. They suspect, like the Americans, that time is passing (being wasted) without decisions being made or actions being performed.

In these cultures, arriving early or on time demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and control. Meetings start on schedule, and being late even by a few minutes can carry negative connotations. For them, respecting time is respecting people.

Multi-active cultures: people first, time second

By contrast, in multi-active cultures such as those in Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece) and much of Latin America time is more fluid. The human element takes precedence over schedules. If a conversation is engaging or someone is late because they were helping a friend, that’s perfectly understandable.

"Multi-active peoples are not very interested in schedules or punctuality. They pretend to observe them, especially if a linear-active partner or colleague insists on it, but they consider the present reality to be more important than appointments."

Richard D. Lewis, When Cultures Collide

In these cultures, flexibility around timing is not a sign of irresponsibility but of warmth and responsiveness. Time adapts to relationships not the other way around.

Reactive cultures: harmonizing with the environment

Reactive cultures such as those in much of Asia (Japan, China, Korea) tend to focus on harmony, preparation, and respect. While they may value punctuality, their approach is often more indirect and context-sensitive. In Japan, for instance, being early is a sign of respect and discipline. However, the overall emphasis is less on rigid planning and more on collective awareness of rhythm and flow.

When timing becomes a message

In cross-cultural environments, timing doesn’t just tell others when you’ll arrive, but it tells them how you think, what you value, and whether or not you respect their worldview. For instance, an American who shows up ten minutes early may see it as professionalism, but an Italian who arrives ten minutes late may have prioritized a meaningful conversation that ran over. A Japanese executive who is exactly on time may be expressing silent respect through precision. Misunderstandings can easily arise if one interprets behavior solely through their own cultural lens.

In global teams or negotiations, cultural sensitivity is needed, as well as it’s important to avoid snap judgments based on punctuality. Recognize that lateness in one culture may not imply disrespect—and strict punctuality in another isn’t coldness, but structure. Some practical steps could include setting shared expectations clearly in advance, allowing time buffers for multicultural meetings or understanding our counterpart’s time perception and adjusting accordingly.

In summary, punctuality is not just about clocks - it’s about culture. Whether early, on time, or “fashionably late,” timing behaviors carry rich meanings. As Richard D. Lewis demonstrates, these are not quirks but patterns rooted in history, identity, and social values. In a multicultural world, the ability to read and adapt to these time signals is a vital intercultural skill.