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"Baffled American Woman Residing in India Spills One Perplexing Aspect"

Indians' inconsistent punctuality leaves event organizer Kristen Fischer perplexed, as they arrive promptly for some gatherings but staggeringly late for others.

"American Woman Residing in India confounds: Describes One Perplexing Element Encountered in India"
"American Woman Residing in India confounds: Describes One Perplexing Element Encountered in India"

"Baffled American Woman Residing in India Spills One Perplexing Aspect"

American content creator Kristen Fischer, currently residing in India, has shared her observations about the country's unique approach to punctuality, particularly in social settings. In a video titled 'Indian time is so confusing', Fischer expresses her confusion about Indians being punctual for formal obligations like work, school, or catching flights, yet often being late for casual social events.

Fischer's video has gone viral, garnering hundreds of comments, mostly agreeing with her assessment. One user referred to the phenomenon as "Indian Standard Time" (IST), while another described it as a universal truth that cannot be explained.

In India, people are typically punctual for professional obligations but tend to be late for casual social events. Fischer illustrated this by sharing her experience at a friend’s birthday party where she arrived on time, but the host arrived hours late for their own celebration. This behaviour is often attributed to social norms and expectations: in India, it is common for casual gatherings to start late because hosts themselves may be preparing until the last moment. Arriving exactly on time can even be awkward, as the host might still be setting things up.

People expect others to be late, so they don't arrive early. Casual meetings are taken “casually” without strict adherence to schedules. The timing depends on how well one knows the host, with more flexible start times for people who know each other well. This cultural approach reflects a relaxed, flexible attitude to time called "Indian Stretchable Time" (IST), where timing is loosely interpreted for social occasions.

Despite the confusion, Fischer has not been deterred by this aspect of Indian culture. In a previous video, she expressed that she does not regret moving her family to India. Nevertheless, she admitted that there are still aspects of Indian culture she does not understand, with this punctuality issue being one of them.

As of now, the Chief Minister of Delhi has not taken any direct action or made any statements in response to Fischer's post. However, the video titled 'Indian time is so confusing' by Kristen Fischer has nearly five lakh views, indicating a widespread curiosity about this cultural nuance.

[1] Source: India Today

  1. Social media users, intrigued by Kristen Fischer's viral video 'Indian time is so confusing', have embarked on discussions about the unique Indian standard of punctuality, with some coining it as "Indian Stretchable Time" (IST).
  2. Fischer's video has shed light on India's contrasting approach to punctuality in professional and social settings, where late arrivals are common in casual events, largely due to the country's flexible attitude towards time in such gatherings.
  3. The video has sparked general news and home-and-garden sections of various online platforms, as Kristen Fischer navigates the intricacies of Indian culture, including the complexities of time management in social gatherings, adding a unique perspective to entertainment and crime-and-justice content within the broader Indian lifestyle.

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