“Time is money” (Franklin: 1864, p.129) – Benjamin Franklin stated those words as an advice to a young tradesman in the book of the same name . It was only one of many pieces of advice Franklin gave in order to achieve success and gain wealth (Carstensen, Busse: 2001). Nowadays, this attitude is still current in some cultures; especially profit-orientated societies, such as the United States, Switzerland, Germany or the Netherlands who see time as “a precious, even scarce, commodity” (Lewis: 2006, p.53). On the other hand, there are cultures which see time in a completely different way – as something that is endless. This exposure to time is culturally dependent; the perception of time, how it is divided and how it is being used varies from culture to culture (Kartarı: 1997).
This work explores the use of and attitude towards time in Germany and Turkey. The working definition of time used in this work, based on Rüsen (1998), is not the physical definition, but the cultural-scientific one: Rüsen defines time as a fundamental determinant of human existence which encompasses the human and its world, thinking and being, internal and external, culture and nature. It is a general and elementary dimension of human life that is being experienced as genesis and decline, birth and death, change and constancy; and which needs to be accomplished as experiences through human interpretations so that human beings are able to orientate themselves within the time in order to meaningfully relate their lives to it. The comparing cultural studies lead to the comprehension that time in form of an anthropological constant which equally correspondents to all people does not exist. In fact, time only has miscellaneous cultural-specific concepts with distinct structures.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- General exposures to time: a theoretical overview
- Exposure to time in the German and the Turkish cultures
- General Classification
- Analysis and interpretation
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work explores the differences in the use of and attitude towards time in Germany and Turkey. It aims to examine how these cultures perceive and value time, considering it as a fundamental element of human existence. The study analyzes the influence of cultural factors on time perception and explores the different models of time prevalent in the two societies.
- Cultural differences in time perception
- Time as a cultural construct
- The impact of time orientation on social interactions
- The relationship between time and economic development
- Time management practices in different cultures
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of time as a culturally dependent construct, contrasting the "time is money" attitude prevalent in some societies with a more relaxed approach to time in others. It sets the stage for exploring the specific differences in time perception between Germany and Turkey.
- General exposures to time: a theoretical overview: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework surrounding time perception, drawing on the work of scholars like Hofstede and Hall. It examines the concepts of long-term vs. short-term outlook, and monochronic vs. polychronic societies, providing a foundation for understanding the cultural variations in time use.
- Exposure to time in the German and the Turkish cultures: This chapter focuses on the specific findings and analyses of a survey conducted on time perception in Germany and Turkey. It examines the general classification of time perceptions in these two cultures, providing insights into their distinct cultural frameworks related to time.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work focuses on the key concepts of time perception, cultural differences, and time orientation. It explores the diverse approaches to time management in different societies, analyzing the impact of cultural factors on the valuation and utilization of time. It examines the role of time in shaping social interactions, economic development, and cultural identity, drawing on examples from Germany and Turkey.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Corinna Colette Vellnagel (Author), 2011, The Exposure to time in Turkey and Germany , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/174790
