Our Job = Our Self

Time on the Job is Relative

We hear the phrases “In a New York minute” and “I’m on Hawaiian Time” because time is viewed differently across regions and cultures. How time is perceived by a society has profound impact on the way a job is approached and performed. For Americans, the concept of time has a direct relationship to matters of business. It’s viewed as a gushing well of opportunity; fast flowing, yet fleeting. For the American professional, time is money. In other cultures, however, the human condition dominates and time has its place on the periphery of life. For workers having this perspective, honoring a task, profession or business relationship is more important than being punctual for an appointment. Meeting dates and deadlines are viewed as flexible and pliable targets for these workers; a clear contrast to the American view.

How Do We Rest Between Shifts?

This photo captures a fisherman resting between shifts. Fishing, as an occupation in every culture, is hard work with long days. Fishermen of Western European cultures use their coastal homes for rest. This fisherman from Ghana uses the beach, where he docks his boats, as a place for both work and slumber.

(Scroll down to experience the fisherman’s environment in full-color.)