The Chinese way of dealing with time is very specific and incredibly innovative, as people value sharing of time, said a French writer and philosopher who has spent many years living and working in China.
Christine Cayol, vice president of the Sino-French Cultural Forum and founder of the Yishu 8, a popular art space, made the statement in Beijing in a special China Global Television Network (CGTN) series dubbed "China Talk", which celebrates China-France friendship.
She wrote a book about time and culture called "Why Chinese People Have Time," which examines the cultural differences in the meaning of time.
"The first time I came to China, I immediately felt that Chinese way of dealing with time is very specific, is incredibly innovative. We westerners are used to control time and to quantify time, so we have a very limited way of dealing with time," Cayol said.
"And when we say okay, it's about two hours for a meeting or for dinner, why do we need to spend two hours? Chinese have a more emotional, more sensitive way of dealing with time. I'm so surprised and so touched by the way my Chinese friends are giving their time to me without looking at the watch," she explained.
"It seems that Chinese people have time because they feel that time is only for sharing, and this Chinese wisdom has passed down from thousands of years of cultural influence. I think we westerners, we would definitely learn a lot from this way to deal with time," Cayol added.
This year commemorates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, with ties between the two countries in the spotlight as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to make a state visit to France in early May.
Chinese way of dealing with time incredibly innovative: French writer
Chinese way of dealing with time incredibly innovative: French writer
