It’s that time of the year again, when the Christmas decorations are up, and the Malls are playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” on repeat.
And if you’re Filipino like me, that also means Christmas potlucks, family gatherings, karaoke, lots and lots of lumpia and pancit, and… the infamous Filipino time.
What’s Filipino time anyway?
You’ve probably heard the word Filipino before – perhaps associated with the wit of Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, or the grace and beauty of Miss Universe contestants. And you’ve certainly heard the word time. But maybe this is the first time you’ve heard them used together.
So for those unfamiliar, let me explain. Filipino time is when Filipinos assume events usually start much later than planned. It’s the idea that things get done whenever they get done. But it’s more than just a short delay.
Imagine being invited to an event for 6 o’clock. You start getting ready around 4, and then you hop in your car past 5, and by ten to six, you’re waiting for the venue door to open, only to find yourself waiting for the host to arrive at 8 o’clock.
Or imagine throwing a house party at your place and telling everyone that the festivities kick off at 7 o’clock. So you’re all set with the snacks and drinks by 6:30, eagerly waiting on the couch. Yet, as the clock ticks away, you find yourself surrounded only by the silence of an empty living room. It’s not until 10 that your guests finally start trickling in.
That’s Filipino time.
And I’m sure it’s not just Filipinos who have this tardiness habit. I’m sure other cultures may be experiencing this weird cultural concept of time too.
Why do Filipinos follow Filipino time?
Sadly, Filipino time has almost become a norm deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Filipinos have come to accept Filipino Time as almost a kind of brand. For a lot of Filipinos, punctuality is somewhat always flexible, and the term Filipino time can be both amusing and frustrating for those who experience it.
People have different theories as to why Filipinos continue to follow Filipino time.
Some say being late was once considered a status symbol during the Spanish colonial period. Others say it’s rooted in the horrible Manila traffic and public transportation system. Others think it’s just a lack of ability to discipline ourselves. And everyone else just uses it as an excuse for arriving anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours late to any party, meeting, or hanging out.
However, when you find yourself in North America, particularly in a place like Canada where the clock is a strict taskmaster, the flexibility of Filipino time can be a source of cultural clashes.
But what about in Canada?
Growing up in Montreal, I got a firsthand look at how much Canadians value being on time. And in a society like Canada where punctuality is highly valued and adhering to schedules is a mark of respect, the laid-back Filipino time attitude can lead to so many misunderstandings and strained relationships.
I remember there was this one wedding reception I attended. I was sitting in my seat, and the emcee was just about to announce the bride and groom’s entrance. Then, this couple sneaks in through the side doors, clearly running on Filipino time. I found it kind of embarrassing and even a little bit disrespectful.
Another time, I remember I organized an outing with some Filipino colleagues I had just met at work. I told everyone to meet up at the metro station around 4PM. And then to my surprise, someone asked me, “Filipino time or Canadian time?” It struck me how ingrained the concept of Filipino time had become, even in casual get-togethers.
And every experience only emphasized even more, how much I had never been a fan of being late.
This clash of cultures can be especially tricky for those navigating the intersection of their Filipino heritage and the expectations of the Canadian environment. It’s not uncommon for Filipino-Canadians to find themselves caught between the two worlds, trying to balance the cultural values they grew up with and the societal norms they encounter daily.
In some cases, Filipino hosts deliberately set the time an hour or so earlier, knowing that their Filipino guests will arrive an hour or so late. Though still, in this case, the poor Caucasian friends are always surprised to see that they’re the first ones to arrive – and the only ones there for the first hour or two… or three.
So what’s the solution?
Many will say that in the grand scheme of things, because Filipino Time is so deeply rooted in our culture, wiping out tardiness from our culture seems almost impossible.
But I think what really matters is that we shouldn’t glorify our lateness as something uniquely Filipino. We can’t put the blame on Filipino Time every time we’re running late. It’s important to recognize that it often boils down to our own lack of discipline and respect for other people’s time.
When we tag our tardiness as Filipino Time, we just keep fueling the negative impact of this habit and its bad reputation. This isn’t fair to the many Filipinos who are actually punctual and considerate of other people’s time.
So the next time a Filipino finds themselves behind schedule for a Holiday potluck or a Christmas show, they shouldn’t attribute it to Filipino Time. It’s high time we admit our own mistakes and put an end to celebrating tardiness as a proud part of our Filipino culture.
So tell me, what do you think about Filipino time?
The Lilac Blog 