Estonians' Perception of Time

  There are cultural variations in how people understand and use time. Researchers have found that individuals are divided into two groups in the way they handle time: monochronic or linear-active cultures and polychronic or multi-active cultures.

The majority of Estonians are monochronic, especially in business. Monochronic individuals are those who prefer to complete one task at a time. This means that for Estonians’ time is is divided into segments, scheduled and compartmentalized so that people may concentrate on one matter at a time. Time is experienced and used in a linear way – comparable to a road extending from the past into the future. Schedules are sacred and deadlines ar taken seriously. For example, if it is said that the deadline for applications is at 4:00 pm on Monday, then there is no point to send it five minutes later any more. Estonians value punctuality, completing tasks, and keeping to schedules. It is expected that everything happens at exact time according to the timetable and they feel satisfied when everything goes according to the carefully planned schedule. Promptness is sacred, especially concerning business appointments. Being five minutes late calls for a brief apology; fifteen minutes needs, if possible, a phone call warning of delay. Estonian managers usually take a course on time management in order to be able to manage their time more effectively. Estonians see their future before them as it has been carefully planned.
Estonians in Cross-Cultural Perspective!

---

_  Estonians highly value their time. People talk about it though it were money, they have a wide range commonly used expressions which link time to money, such as „Aeg on raha!“ (time is money) „Iga minut on arvel!“ (every minute counts)  „Kaotama aega.“  (losing time), „Ära raiska aega!“  (don’t waste time!) „Aega säästma“ or „Aega kokku hoidma“ (to save time). Estonians don’t want to wait; they want results now. Wanting quick answers and quick solutions, they are not used to waiting long periods of time for decisions or answers and become anxious when decisions are not made promptly.

 
Estonians want to get results quickly and hate waiting which is regarded waste of time. The same concerns communication patterns. If there is a pause longer than two seconds, Estonians think that people either do not understand them or do not have an opinion and thus, start paraphrasing or clarifying their statements to get a response. Estonians expect you to concentrate on the job at hand and focus on one client at a time. You shouldn’t pick up phone when talking to someone, it is considered as unrespectful behavior. As Estonian businesses must report all financial details quarterly, they tend to think in short term intervals. When Estonians talk about the long term plans they usually mean no more than three years.

Another manifestation of monochronous behavior is the principle “first come, first served.” There are lines everywhere. Estonians have refined their lining over the years, so that now they do this with the aid of the ticket machines which you may find absolutely everywhere. Upon entering a shop or a financial institution of any kind, you should first locate the ticket machine. You should then take a ticket. If you find that there are several kinds of tickets, you should take the one you need. Usually the ticket will show you how long you have to wait until it is your turn. When your number is finally called you have better to be there or they will skip by you to the next person and you have to take another one. The same principle concerns traffic as well, get in line and stay in line. There is wealth of traffic signs, marking lines on the street, information boards and other aids for drivers. Thus, everybody knows what is expected from him or her and from one’s co-drivers and almost no room for imagination and phantasy is left. Therefore, any adventurous maneuver not anticipated from others may bring along serious results.
Estonians in Cross-Cultural Perspective!

---