387. Why Are Some People Always Late? The Cultural Meaning of Time (English Vocabulary Lesson)

You are invited to a party. The invitation says the party starts at 20:00. What time will you arrive?

Your answer to this question has a lot to do with your culture. Some of you will have said 20:00 exactly, because that is when the part stats. Others will have said 19:45, because it is polite to be early. Others will have said 20:30… or 21:00… or later because it is awkward to arrive too early.

Your answer to my question is connected to how your culture understands time: the direction of time; the use time; punctuality; and more.

So today I want to look at the cultural meanings of time, highlight some common cultural misunderstandings that will be relevant for any of you living/studying/or working internationally, and do all of this while introducing new English vocabulary and practicing your English listening comprehension.

TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/05/11/387-why-are-some-people-always-late-the-cultural-meaning-of-time-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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