When Is the Best Time?

Some people go so far as to say that time does not really exist; it is all in the mind, they claim. Others note that according to astrophysicists, time really does exist; it is inseparable from space, coexisting in what these scientists call the "time-space continuum." No matter which view you may hold, time is of relative importance in different cultures. However, when traveling, doing business, or studying in a German- or English-speaking country, it is a good idea to consider time to be of the utmost importance.
　　Many people have noted that the Germans and English are both methodical and well-organized. Naturally, not everyone among them is, but these peoples do seem to share a penchant for orderliness and punctuality. Clocks and time have played a great part in defining the character of the Anglo-Saxons. The geographic use of time began during the British Empire with the world divided by latitude and longitude, with zero degrees longitude running through the observatory at Greenwich, in London. According to the British of that day, the world began its time-keeping from London —— and it still does. Time is of paramount importance to these Europeans and their overseas descendants. If you are visiting or staying in these countries, here are a few pieces of advice to help you make the transition to a time-centered civilization.
　　As you probably already know, being punctual —— to the minute —— is held in high esteem among them. Time is the most valuable commodity one can have, according to the doctrine of the time worshippers. We are not given very much of it whilst on this planet, and we should do our best to utilize it efficiently each and every day, they say. Wasting others' time by forcing them to wait is a sign of disorganized living, a sort of admission to being low-class. It is also seen as an insult to those kept waiting, as if to say, "Your time is not that important." To them, this attitude borders on sin itself! In business, being late even only a few times may make the difference between your getting a promotion and being kept "in your place." For social dates, it is a sign of slovenliness at best, rejection of those waiting at worst. In school, never burst open the door of the lecture hall to announce, "I'm sorry I'm late, sir" as is the custom in many countries. The double crime of being tardy and interrupting the proceedings which began on time occurs, with a likely prejudiced and unfavorable grade awaiting the hapless student.
　　Of course, being late can sometimes not be avoided, as in unexpected traffic jams, home emergencies, or having been given the wrong information of date or place. When these all-too-human mishaps do occur, it is important to explain the reason for being late. It is also a good idea, of course, to apologize for the useless waiting and to assure the other or others that it will never happen again. In this age of cell phones, every effort should be made to call ahead if tardiness of more than ten minutes is unavoidable, especially for business or professional appointments or important dates. The last phrase anyone wants to hear is a frosty "You could have called." That is the prelude to a ruined evening.
　　Not everything begins exactly on time, even in Anglo-Saxon culture. Many casual parties are "open" concerning time; the party begins when you get there. The same is generally true of backyard barbecues and picnics. Dinner parties, on the other hand, are obviously planned around a meal time; one should make every effort to arrive on (not before) time. A friendly "Drop by this evening" invites common sense to interpret: too early during the evening may embarrass the host who is eating dinner, while too late may disturb those who prefer going to bed early. A call first to make sure is never out of line.
　　Remember that time is relative in importance to people within a culture just as it is between cultures. Nothing is more important than human relations. If you commit the "crime" of being late with Anglo-Germanic friends, simply apologize. Few people intentionally keep others waiting, after all. Remember, too, that, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In English- and German-speaking lands, this means "Time waits for no man!"

　　有些人竟然说时间根本不存在，他们宣称都是心理在作崇。其它人则表示根据天文物理学家的说法，时间的确存在，它和空间是密不可分的，共同存在于这些科学家所谓的“连续时空”中。不管你持哪一种看法，在各个不同的文化中时间都相当重要。然而，当你到说德语或英语的国家旅行、做生意或念书时，最好把时间视为最重要的事。
　　许多人指出德国人和英国人做事有条不紊且组织严谨。当然，他们之中不是每个人都这样，但秩序和守时却似乎是这两个民族的共同爱好。时钟和时间大大说明了盎格鲁‧撒克逊人的性格。地理时间的使用始于大英帝国时期，当时用纬线和经线划分世界，零度经线通过伦敦的格林尼治天文台。根据当时英国人的说法，全世界从伦敦开始计算时间——至今仍然如此。时间对这些欧洲人和他们的海外后裔来说是最最重要的。如果你到这些国家去玩或居留，以下的一些建议有助于你适应一个凡事以时间为中心的文明社会。
　　你或许已经知道，准时到一分不差的地步在他们之间极受推崇。根据这些时间崇拜者的信条，时间是一个人所能拥有最宝贵的资产。他们说我们在这世上的时间不多，所以每一天都应该尽全力有效运用它。强迫他人等待而浪费他们的时间是生活紊乱的表现，也是一种水平低落的自我表白。这也被视为是对等待者的一种侮辱，仿佛在说：“你的时间没什么重要。”对他们而言，这种态度本身简直就是罪恶！在工作上，即使只迟到个几次也会对你造成升迁或继续留在“原位”的差别。在社交约会上，迟到的最好情况是被认为行事马虎，而最坏的情况则是被等待的人拒绝往来。在学校中，千万不要骤然推开课堂的门宣布说：“老师，对不起，我迟到了。”这在许多国家中是习以为常的事。犯下迟到又打断准时上课进行的双重罪行，很可能一个印象恶劣的低分成绩就等着这位不幸的学生。
　　当然，有时候迟到是无可避免的，就像突如其来的交通阻塞、家庭紧急事故或者被通知的日期和地点错误等。当这些人之常情的不幸意外真的发生时，务必要解释迟到的理由。当然，最好也必须为引起无谓的等候道歉，并向对方保证绝不再犯。在现今这个移动电话普及的时代，如果避免不了要迟到超过十分钟以上，要尽可能先打电话通知，特别是生意上或职业上的会面，或者是重要约会。绝没有任何人想听到一句冷冰冰的：“你可以先打电话啊。”那一晚的约会就在这前奏声中毁了。
　　即使在盎格鲁‧撒克逊人的文化中，也不是每件事都准时开始。许多轻松的派对是随着时间“开”的；人何时到，派对便何时开始。在后院举办的烤肉和野餐通常也是如此。另一方面，晚宴则显然是吃饭时间办的，客人应该尽量准时（而非提前）到达。一句友好的“晚上过来吧”得用常识解释：傍晚太早过去可能让正在吃晚餐的主人尴尬；而太晚又可能吵到喜欢早睡的人。先打电话确定总是妥当之计。
　　记住时间对同文化或不同文化的人来说都一样很重要。人与人之间的关系任何事也比不上。如果你犯了和英、德友人约会迟到的“罪”，道歉就好了。毕竟，很少有人故意要让别人等候。同时记住：“入境要随俗。”在说英语和德语的国家中，这句谚语就表示“时间不等人！”