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You’re at the airport, tapping your foot impatiently as you wait for your cousin who promised to pick you up “now now.” Two hours later, you’re still there, wondering if “now now” means “whenever I feel like it.” Welcome to the world of dealing with African Time, where punctuality is more of a suggestion than a rule
If you’re an African in the diaspora, you’ve likely been caught between two time zones: the punctual Western world and the more… flexible African Time.
It’s that perplexing phenomenon where “I’m around the corner” means “I haven’t showered yet,” and “The party starts at 8” is code for “Don’t you dare show up before 10:30.”
The Roots of African Time: It’s Not Just About Being Late
Before we proceed with African Time, let’s address the baobab tree in the room: Where did this concept come from, and is it just a harmful stereotype?
African Time isn’t about laziness or disrespect. It’s deeply entrenched in cultural values that prioritize relationships and flexibility over rigid schedules. In many African cultures, time is viewed more like a river – flowing and continuous – rather than a ticking clock.
For instance, in rural Ghana, you might hear someone say, “I’ll see you when the sun is directly overhead,” instead of “Let’s meet at noon.” In Ethiopia, it’s common to use phrases like “When the cattle return” to indicate evening time.
But here’s the catch: When these cultural norms collide with the fast-paced, deadline-driven Western world, it’s like trying to merge a leisurely countryside road with a six-lane highway.
And guess who’s stuck at the intersection? That’s right – us, the Africans in the diaspora, frantically trying to reconcile our “go with the flow” upbringing with our “time is money” reality.
Dealing with African Time in the Workplace: When “EOD” Means “Eventually, On Delivery”
Let’s talk about the office – that battleground where African Time meets Western punctuality, and chaos reigns supreme.
The “I’m On My Way” Chronicles
You’re in London, leading a crucial 9 AM conference call with clients. At 8:55, your Ghanaian colleague Kwame, who’s supposed to present, texts: “On my way!”
You break into a cold sweat, knowing that in Kwame’s lexicon, this could mean anything from “I’m on the tube” to “I just woke up and I’m contemplating the meaning of life while staring at my ceiling fan.”
When dealing with African Time in the workplace, setting clear expectations is key. Tell your African colleagues the meeting starts an hour earlier than it does. It’s not deception; it’s cultural adaptation at its finest.
The Meeting That Time Forgot
In the realm of African Time, meetings are less about agendas and more about impromptu storytelling sessions. They start late, end later, and somehow manage to solve nothing while discussing everything from Aunty Esi’s goat farm to the latest football scores.
When dealing with African Time in meetings, be the change you want to see. Start on time, even if you’re talking to an empty room. Eventually, people will get the message (or at least wonder why you’re having such intense conversations with the office plants).
Personal Life: When “See You Soon” Means “See You When the Cows Come Home”
Dealing with African Time isn’t just a professional challenge; it infiltrates our personal lives like that relative who shows up unannounced and stays for a month.
The Never-Ending Wedding Saga
African weddings are renowned for their elasticity of time. What starts as a Saturday afternoon ceremony can easily morph into a week-long extravaganza that would make Gatsby’s parties look like quick coffee dates.
When dealing with African Time at weddings, pack as if you’re going on a sabbatical. Bring a change of clothes, a power bank, and enough patience to outlast a tortoise in a marathon.
The Flexible Family Reunion
Family gatherings in the African diaspora are a special kind of temporal vortex. Aunt Fatou in Paris says she’ll host Christmas dinner at 3 PM, but everyone knows that means “sometime before New Year’s Eve.”
When dealing with African Time in family gatherings, embrace flexibility. Bring a book, a charger, and snacks to tide you over.
Remember, it’s not about when you arrive; it’s about the memories you make (and the food you eventually get to eat, assuming you haven’t passed out from hunger by then).
Strategies for Dealing with African Time (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Friends)
- The Fake Deadline Technique: Always set deadlines earlier than necessary. Tell your Zimbabwean friend Tanaka that your flight leaves at 2 PM when it departs at 5. It’s not lying; it’s preemptive time management.
- The Time Zone Trick: Tell people you’re in a different time zone – preferably one that’s always ahead. “Oh, it’s already tomorrow where I am!” This works wonders for virtual meetings with family back home.
- The Reverse Psychology Approach: Start being late yourself. Watch as everyone suddenly becomes punctual just to prove a point. (Warning: This may backfire spectacularly.)
- The “African Time” Tax: Implement a fun penalty system for latecomers. The last person to arrive brings jollof rice (or injera, or pap) for the next gathering. Nothing motivates punctuality like the threat of cooking for a crowd.
- The Acceptance Phase: Sometimes, the best way of dealing with African Time is to embrace it. Bring a good book, make new friends in the waiting room, and remember that patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s an African superpower.
Tips for the Chronically Late (For You)
If you’re struggling with African Time yourself, practice this:
- Set Multiple Alarms: Use several alarms for getting ready, leaving, and arriving. Label them with urgent messages like “Hurry up!” or “You’re about to lose friends.”
- The “Fake Time” Trick: Set your clocks 30 minutes ahead. You’ll know, but it still tricks your brain into rushing.
- Visualize Consequences: Imagine your friends waiting or eating without you when you’re tempted to stay longer. That should motivate you.
- Use FOMO: Tell yourself events start 30 minutes early to trigger your fear of missing out and get there on time.
- No Excuses Challenge: Go a month without blaming traffic or alarms. Owning your lateness might inspire change.
Respecting time starts with self-awareness—yours and others.
Conclusion: Finding Harmony in the Chaos
Dealing with African Time is an art form, a test of patience, and often, a comedy of errors that would put Shakespeare to shame. But it’s also a reminder of the beautiful complexity of our cultural heritage.
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