The other day I was texting with my partner to find out when the plumber was going to arrive at our place. “In the afternoon, ‘kiwi time’” was his answer. This made me smile. This was the first time I heard someone say ‘kiwi time’. On google, I learned that Kiwi Time is also a San Francisco band. While in Africa, I experienced the well-known ‘African time’. According to Wikipedia African time (or Africa time) is the perceived cultural tendency, in most parts of Africa, toward a more relaxed attitude to time. Especially in the beginning when just arrived in Africa, I struggled a bit with Africa time. Though, after a while I got used to it and thereby adopted a more relaxed attitude to time and also to life in general. I felt more relaxed and at ease compared with living in a society where time is a stricter concept. My adventure in New Zealand started in Auckland; the biggest city of this beautiful country. In Auckland the attitude towards time was for me comparable with that of The Netherlands. Although, I definitely experienced a slightly more relaxed attitude towards organizing and structure, something I had to get used to as an overly organized control lover. Since moving up North and arriving in Whangarei, kiwi time is more present. Meetings and appointments are there to be cancelled or changed, last minute often. Don’t expect a well prepared and perfectly organised company or event, this will save you frustration. Why strive for perfection and thereby stress? Living with the flow of life that is what seems to happen more here. In my opinion this makes people friendlier as well. People have the gift of time and therefore the attitude to help each other. Quite often, strange people call me ‘sweetheart’ or ‘love’ if I buy something in the local supermarket for example. I quite appreciate this part of the culture and learn to let go of my tendency to control or prepare everything perfectly in advance. I keep on learning and especially learn to let go not to stress about small stuff. Relax, everything is going to be all right, just chill & relax, that is my new mantra.
Kiwi Time
The other day I was texting with my partner to find out when the plumber was going to arrive at our place. “In the afternoon, ‘kiwi time’” was his answer. This made me smile. This was the first time I heard someone say ‘kiwi time’. On google, I learned that Kiwi Time is also a San Francisco band. While in Africa, I experienced the well-known ‘African time’. According to Wikipedia African time (or Africa time) is the perceived cultural tendency, in most parts of Africa, toward a more relaxed attitude to time. Especially in the beginning when just arrived in Africa, I struggled a bit with Africa time. Though, after a while I got used to it and thereby adopted a more relaxed attitude to time and also to life in general. I felt more relaxed and at ease compared with living in a society where time is a stricter concept. My adventure in New Zealand started in Auckland; the biggest city of this beautiful country. In Auckland the attitude towards time was for me comparable with that of The Netherlands. Although, I definitely experienced a slightly more relaxed attitude towards organizing and structure, something I had to get used to as an overly organized control lover. Since moving up North and arriving in Whangarei, kiwi time is more present. Meetings and appointments are there to be cancelled or changed, last minute often. Don’t expect a well prepared and perfectly organised company or event, this will save you frustration. Why strive for perfection and thereby stress? Living with the flow of life that is what seems to happen more here. In my opinion this makes people friendlier as well. People have the gift of time and therefore the attitude to help each other. Quite often, strange people call me ‘sweetheart’ or ‘love’ if I buy something in the local supermarket for example. I quite appreciate this part of the culture and learn to let go of my tendency to control or prepare everything perfectly in advance. I keep on learning and especially learn to let go not to stress about small stuff. Relax, everything is going to be all right, just chill & relax, that is my new mantra.