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What is time? Is it a thing to be saved or (1) or wasted, like money? Or is it something we have no control (2) , like the weather? Is time the same all over the world? Thatˈs an easy question, you say. (3) you go, a minute is 60 seconds, an hour is 60 minutes, a day is 24 hours, and so forth. Well, maybe. But in America, time is (4) that. Americans see time as a valuable (5) . Maybe thatˈs why they are (6) of the expression, "Time is money."
To Americans, punctuality is a way of showing (7) for other peopleˈs time. Being more than 10 minutes late to an appointment usually (8) an apology, and maybe an explanation. People (9)
are running late often call ahead to let others know of the (10) . Of course, the less formal the situation, the less important it is to be exactly (11) . At informal get-togethers, (12) , people often arrive as much as 30 minutes past the (13) time. But they usually donˈt try that at work.
American lifestyles show (14) people respect the time of others. When people plan an event, they often (15) the time days or weeks in advance. Once the time is fixed, it takes almost a(n) (16)
to change it. If people want to come to your house for a friendly visit, they will usually (17) first to make sure it is convenient. Only very close friends will just (18) unannounced. Also, people hesitate to call others late at night for fear they (19) be in bed. The time may vary, but most folks think (20) about calling after 10:00 p.m.