I've often noticed that whenever a Cambodian invites me to join something - even in the near-future - they tend to tell me the date of the event rather than the day of the week. Whereas I'd say, "It's on Thursday" they'd typically say, "It's on the 23rd" even if the 23rd is the day-after-tomorrow.
This usually results in conversations that sound like,
"Can you join on the 29. March?"
"29th, um..that's really soon, right? What day is that?"
"Monday."
"Oh, well, no, sorry, I have to work."
Whereas if I were inviting someone to something the next Monday, I'd be like, "Can you come to x on Monday?" or in the more distant future: "Can you come to x? It's on a Monday" or more formally, "It's on Monday, 12. July."
I was wondering if it had something to do with being raised in a culture where routines were the norm; most people usually work Monday-Friday and have weekends off so there's this shared expectation that things need to be planned around certain days and working hours but Cambodia doesn't really have - or hadn't, until recently - established days of rest, at least for the majority working population. Perhaps when every day is exactly like the next it's easier to plan by the date than the day?
Or am I alone in this observation?
dates vs. days
- Playboy
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Khmers are not used to advanced planning, usually it is 'can come now??'
Long term planning in Cambodia is, 'what shall we have for lunch' - as you are on your way to the market.
The only time that any real preplanning kicking in is when they are sending out Wedding (cash collection) envelopes.
Long term planning in Cambodia is, 'what shall we have for lunch' - as you are on your way to the market.
The only time that any real preplanning kicking in is when they are sending out Wedding (cash collection) envelopes.
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- newkidontheblock
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Not so sure. Missus says that the right thing to do is to set a date. Before leaving for said meeting, call. An hour before arrival, call. Just before arrival, call again. This is just basic Khmer manners.Playboy wrote:Khmers are not used to advanced planning, usually it is 'can come now??'
Am I missing something?
Don't worry, be happy.
^ that's not really Khmer manners.... Khmers tend to badger their appointment on the phone because they want to make sure they aren't going to show up for nothing. And obviously they do that only with Khmers and with local officials.
About the date vs day thing, I noticed that every time I get called for a wedding and I'm given a date , I always follow up with "what day is it?"
About the date vs day thing, I noticed that every time I get called for a wedding and I'm given a date , I always follow up with "what day is it?"
- Khmerhamster
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In the office my staff always know what date it is without checking. I rarely do - but always know what day it is, unlike them.
In school every lesson starts with the kids reciting day, date, month and year. Then every time they go to up to the whiteboard they do the same again.
So understand how kids know, but the adults... I've never seen a calendar in my Khmer friends houses.
In school every lesson starts with the kids reciting day, date, month and year. Then every time they go to up to the whiteboard they do the same again.
So understand how kids know, but the adults... I've never seen a calendar in my Khmer friends houses.
They would usually have the Chinese-y/Buddhist calendar one.
A lot of Khmers actually still think using the Buddhist calendar. So they often would say "Ten Barang" if they meant for instance the 10th of a particular month.
A lot of Khmers actually still think using the Buddhist calendar. So they often would say "Ten Barang" if they meant for instance the 10th of a particular month.
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