Do you know how the concept of punctuality differs around the world? Growing up immersed in two cultures, I learned early on that “on time” can mean very different things depending on where you’re from.

With my non-Indian friends, 7:00 p.m. usually meant right around 7:00 p.m. With my Indian friends, though, 7:00 p.m. could easily become 7:30 or even 8:00 p.m.

My best friend growing up was German, and her definition of punctuality threw me off even more. For her, 7:00 p.m. meant 6:50 p.m. The way she was raised, being on time meant arriving early.

In some cultures, including India, many Latin American countries, Africa, and parts of the Caribbean, punctuality is a more fluid concept. Is that true in your culture too? In other cultures—such as the U.S., Japan, and Germany—people tend to follow the clock closely, and lateness may be viewed as a sign of disrespect.

The key is to be mindful of these differences. I do my best to adapt to the person and culture I’m engaging with, and to respect their expectations and perception of punctuality. It’s a small adjustment that can make a big difference in building trust across cultures.