Early in 1994, President Clinton was once late for a meeting on national affairs. This resulted in fierce criticism by the press. Being late means you lack the ability to manage time, they pointed out; if you can't manage your own time, how can you manage the affairs of state?
In the face of this sharp criticism, Mr. Clinton was careful to attend future meetings on time. But a few months later, he was late again. Of course, it did not escape the attack of the press. Articles such as "Look at This Guy - late Again" topped the papers again.
Is this sort of relentless criticism of the president's tardiness too tough? Isn't it a little too fussy to complain about the busy president's occasional tardiness? Americans don't think so.
America is a society on a schedule. Whether it's a personal appointment or a public conference, the starting time should be exact. Those who are late are often considered lazy and inconsiderate and they lose the trust of others. In personal relationships, a friend may be lost, in business, an opportunity.
The reason why American are so concerned about time is that time is connected to efficiency. In the fast pace of America, people fill their schedules to the limit.
Nobody can patiently wait for half an hour beyond the designated time, because the next item on the timetable would be affected. Being late means losing opportunities and diminishing efficiency.
For purposes of my visit to the United States, my American friends planned my schedule as they would an American's. Sometimes, in one day there would be two meetings in the morning and two meetings in the afternoon. And these meetings were not at the same place; there were considerable distances between appointments.
After one meeting, I had to get to the next one within half an hour. Once I got there, we would exchange "hello's" and then plunge right into the topic at hand without much additional greeting. During the talk, we all looked at our watches now and then in order to determine what other subjects we would discuss in the remaining time.
When we finished, the host allowed us to leave without attempting to persuade us to stay longer. We all had other things to do.
We depended on our map to reach the next appointment location within half an hour. Fortunately, in the U. S., the street signs are very clear. The signs not only indicate the name of the street but also the range of numbers on that particular block, a real convenience for foreigners who are looking for a building. Generally, the destination can be reached within half an hour.
But one time in New York, an accident occurred on the subway; the train didn't come at all. Sonia and I were forced to take a taxi. "I hope we're not going to be late," Sonia said anxiously. As soon as we got out of the taxi, Sonia pulled me up the stairs in a run. In the end, we weren't late.
After I came back to China, a cultural affairs officer at the U. S. Embassy asked me what I thought of the visit. I recalled this sort of intense arrangement. Then she asked if the USIA should develop a more relaxed schedule for future visitors. I said they shouldn't. Foreigners should get the chance to experience the rapid rhythm of American life and the U. S. Concept of time - that's the real America.
