TIME DISCIPLINE AND DELAY IN NEPALI CULTURE: BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY
There is a quiet tension in daily life in Nepal. It exists between the clock and the moment, between expectations of being on time and the cultural acceptance of delay. We find ourselves caught between two worlds: the strict schedules of modern life and the more relaxed rhythms of tradition. This tension goes beyond just being late or on time; it raises deeper questions about values, identity, and how a society chooses to live. In most Nepali homes, the day starts not with the sound of a ticking clock but with the sun’s position, the calls of street vendors, or the flow of morning puja. Time feels circular, connected to nature and rituals rather than a linear path. Meals are not served at exactly 8:00 or 1:00; they are enjoyed when someone comes back from the field, when guests arrive, or when the dal is finally done. There is a sense of flexibility, even softness, in how time is viewed in traditional settings. It is more about relationships than strict rules. However, this f...