Time clocks and new arrivals

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

Have any of you suggestions for helping new immigrant to adjust to American time clocks

We do everything by the clock ---work and play---setting the alarm to know when to move

When i travel I see other cultures are so layed back they don't seem to have any real schedules

Adil has worked 6 days a week 10 and 12 hours but he doesn't go by any clock

He has taken off work without pay to do our paperwork without worrying about the job.

He naps when he is tired or it is too hot

The ones here ahead of him take the month of Ramadan off and travel home and don't worry about the job

We get 13 holidays and a paid vacation if lucky

How have you helped your spouse adjust to scheduled vacations, alamrs to get to classes or work, and meals on a time schedule?

thanks for any information you may have

Jeanne

[TBoneTX 43,043]

People can get fired here for not showing up to work on time.

Punctuality is valued.

A month off for Ramadan would typically be considered excessive.

One misses important things and events by being tardy.

He simply has to become used to this idea.

Perhaps find an employment counselor or "mentor" who's also a Muslim and who can explain.

I've experienced this lack of concern for time since Mrs. T-B. came. When a party hosted by "Spanish people" here is said to start at 8 p.m., I get agitated when her preparation is casual. She says, "You'll see -- people will begin arriving by 9, 9:15..." And she's right. One must stress "al punto" (to the point) when a time is firm. Perhaps there's something in Arabic or Moroccan culture that's similar, and you can stress that this is the case in the U.S. all the time.

[Mistyyy 11]

It took me a while to get used to the lifestyle here. When I arrived I had to wait for my work permit so I had to keep myself busy, I studied for certifications which I knew I would need by the time I have my work permit and also I went to job events to help me find jobs once I received my permit.
In the afternoons I took naps as well I think that's a cultural thing. As far as the timing goes I had to force myself to change my habits and I also went to mosques for the Isha around 8 PM and I met moroccans there too and I became friends with them and they helped me adjust and showed me the area and places to avoid.

He needs to change his habits as well

[Udella&Wiz 325]

+1 for the idea of finding a mentor perhaps from his country who has already adjusted well.