(英文汇报)时间观念东西方文化差异

To outsiders, Americans seem tied to the clock. People in other cultures value relationships more than schedules. In these societies, people don't try to control time, but to experience it. Chinese, for example, view time as a cycle. They find it easier to "go with the flow" than Americans, who like plans to be fixed and unchangeable.
cases Time for Chinese is more flexible and more human-centered. For example： They usually schedule several activities at the same time They usually put interpersonal relations above the schedule The big shot usua源自文库ly is late
The Chinese nation’s concept of time is rooted in the culture of farming time; time has a close relation with the nature. Time is really fleeting, but it also circle like the constantly changing of four seasons, and the sun and the moon cycle alternately, it will come back soon; so people usually think that the lost time could be back. This kind of view of time shaped people a sense that time is rich, and also nurtured a habit of leisure and slow living habit.
The Time
in different cultures
“Time is the devourer of everything.” （吞噬者） — Ovid
Roman Poet 43 B. C.
“Time is the subtle thief of youth.” — Milton
English Poet (1608 – 1674)
Past time orientation
But in western country, you must use some euphemism, such as “senior” ,“aged”, “veteran”，“golden ager”, “elder”, etc. All these reflect the American’s “future-oriented” conception of time indirectly. They think that past thing are just the past, they never treat past thing as a good thing.
Do you love life? Then do not waste time, for that is the stuff life is made of. —Benjamin Franklin
They see time as a valuable resource. Maybe that's why they are fond of the expression, "Time is money."
Future orientation
Changes
With the acceleration of the China's modernization, and the increase of foreign exchange, we are constantly absorbing in the essence of the foreign culture, and the concept of time also gradually changed. The linear sense of time gradually engaged into the Chinese culture. Meanwhile, westerners’ understanding and acceptance degree to traditional Chinese culture is constantly improving, with the increase of various cultural communication, the phenomenon of cultural fusion also increased, Chinese and westerners respective increasing exchange their original traditional concept of time gradually. As for the above phenomenon, we can do as follows:
WEST
pocket planners on time
agendas
time tables
appointments
time managements
in time
deadlines
schedules
plans
calendar s
accountings
American lifestyles show how much people respect the time of others. When people plan an event, they often set the time days or weeks in advance. Once the time is fixed, it takes almost an emergency to change it. If people want to come to your house for a friendly visit, they will usually call first to make sure it is convenient.
“Time is most brisk and giddy-paced.”
（敏锐的）
（眼花缭乱的）
— Shakespeare
日月光华，旦复旦兮。 ——《尚书大传》上卷
The sun alternates with the moon; Days come one after another soon.
俗语：枯木逢春犹再发
A withered tree comes to life again.
WEST
This is a line.
EAST
This is a circle.
The western believe time is a limited resource, they try to conserve and manage it. People do all they can to squeeze more life out of their time.
EAST
慢走
慢慢吃 慢用
慢慢来
慢慢商量
慢慢做 慢慢看
慢慢欣赏
The word “Lao” in China used to show respect to those who are more experienced and usually older, like “Lao Li”, “Lao Wang”. In this way we show respect and amity to the old people, which indicates a past time orientation.
Abandon national center -cultural ideas Respect for cultural differences and reducing communication barriers.
Respect cultural customs mutually.
Thank You ！