Indonesia keeps its own time in ever-hectic world

Maggie Tiojakin, Contributor, Boston

In some parts of the world, where a 15-minute service delay could turn into a million-dollar lawsuit, punctuality is every bit as important as the relationships it sustains.

Over the years, global enterprises have striven not only to meet their deadlines, but to create time management which is faster, more reliable and more efficient than their competitors. From overnight package deliveries to a 60-second food service -- or your cash back -- to the milliseconds we spend to connect to the Internet, punctuality pays.

Or does it?

Last year, Ecuador made a bold move to eradicate their notorious reputation for being late by launching a crusade against lateness.

Their particular habit, apparently, has cost them US$2.5 billion per year due to lack of productivity, which is a significant loss considering the country's gross domestic product is $24 billion.

By synchronizing their clocks and watches at high noon on Oct. 1, 2003, Ecuadorians pledged to keep to their schedules. Though it is much too soon to tell whether the campaign is successful in its effort to herd millions of people to take individual responsibility for their time-management issues, observers are quite optimistic in its long-term results.

Looking at the world's busiest regions in countries like the U.S or Japan, where clock towers are planted in every corner and workers move rapidly through the city streets, one gets the feeling that everybody has some place to be at any given hour.

In New York City, pedestrians are famous for fast-pacing, and it is almost a sin to amble-walk. Perhaps, only in NYC may we see the glorification of take-out coffee enterprises (Starbucks, Seattle's Best, Peet's Coffee and Tea, etc.) located within a block from each other.

Getting a cup of coffee has never been easier, faster, and more convenient -- especially because most New Yorkers are always on a neck-and-neck race with time. Some say it is an indication of economic success, whereas in countries or cities where the economy feels stagnant, so does their awareness of time.

Jakarta, by comparison, also portrays what appears to be a never-ending rush hour. At any time of day, the chance of getting stuck in a long line of traffic is almost inescapable. Whether it has to do with street constructions or accidents or vehicles' line-ups going haywire, one's ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is as good as a guessing game.

More often than not, traffic becomes the only acceptable (sometimes abused) alibi to lateness, which could range from 15 to 45 minutes.

Local terminology for chronic lateness, "rubber time", aside from being widely used, is also widely tolerable. Whether it is of a personal or professional nature, time management in the country seems to leave a lot of room for improvement. But, what does it say about our work ethic?

"I think one of the bigger problems is that a lot of people still don't know how to manage their time table," said Sulastri, a marketing employee at PT Daiti Carbon Nusantara. "But, most companies in Indonesia -- both local and international -- have implemented the concept of punctuality to their employees."

Thilma Komaling, an assistant general manager at PT IEV Indonesia, acknowledged the same issue, though she argued that some people have "different biological clocks" which does not mean they lack productivity.

"I think we should let people work whenever they are prepared to," she said.

For Novi Suryadi, an account manager at RTM Global Integration, punctuality shows class and integrity.

"If you want to appear credible and trustworthy in front of your clients or colleagues, you need to always be on time," she said.

Even so, "There are people who take deadlines less seriously than others, and they hand in reports whenever they want to hand them in, instead of when (the reports) are due".

The impact of punctuality, according to Sri Yuni Hartati, an account executive officer at IT Solution, is hard to miss when you're dealing with "a large investment" and "customers who depend on timeliness".

Referring to her own experience of working with foreigners, she suggested that when it comes to a work ethic, they tend to have stricter values.

"(Foreign workers) are usually very systematic and well- scheduled," said Sri Yuni. "I find it quite valuable as my personal benchmark."

Yet, not everything is in a day's work. What happens to quality time with friends and family?

In an overly punctual world, time-management needs more than discipline, it requires a whole bible all to itself: a schedule. And in a community where everyone consults their date book as a way of life, there is very little room left -- if any -- for the unplanned.

Suddenly, time becomes a rarity. People no longer spare time; they have to make time to function socially. There has been one too many cases where one's career overshadows one's personal obligations (like canceled vacations) that one couldn't help but wonder if punctuality means we're placing ourselves ahead of time; or if it means we're letting time take control of our lives.

"You schedule your time-table based on your priorities," said Novi, whose priority remains her family and friends. "Meanwhile, you have to be flexible, depending on who needs you most when."

Obviously, punctuality pays. Within 10 years, Ecuadorians may be looking at some major changes both in their economy and lives. However, punctuality establishes order. Order suggests sanctions -- it doesn't matter how minimal the violation is.

Indonesia may not be the most orderly country -- and certainly not the most punctual -- but it is never short on tolerance. In this part of the world, a 15-minute service delay is nothing more than a 15-minute service delay. If you're running half an hour late for a friendly dinner, your friends will still be there waiting, eager to see you.

"You cannot buy human relations with money," said Thilma, who then insisted that "productivity does not only come from being punctual".