Some Asian cultures have a more relaxed attitude towards time than is typical of Americans. This is in part due to a polychronic time framework which means that different social interactions can occur at the same time. This is very different form the Western monochronic time which demands a linear scheduling of events one at a time. Some Asian parents may arrive late for appointments without offering an apology because they are simply not aware of the linear scheduling of doctors’ time. Similarly, some Asians, such as the Hmong, don’t believe in pushing hard to get things done and being hasty as a result. Rather, they believe that events run their own course. Concepts of time can vary greatly between Asian cultures. The Japanese tend to be highly punctual. The Vietnamese use what translates roughly as “rubber time” – if you expect people to come to an appointment or meeting at 8:00 am, you should invite them for 7:30 am. In any case, attitudes towards time vary a great deal person to person, and cultural differences with regards to time serve only as a touch point of consideration when dealing with patients/families.