I remember an American guy once said to me, “Things are pretty slow and relaxed in Nepal. People have more holidays, and are seen hanging around with friends very often. Not so much people tend to be too busy. Look, even the dogs are moving slow and it seems like everyone is relaxed and stress-free.” Hence, we can say that this laid back attitude of ours has a charm of its own. But, on the other hand, due to this Bholibadh and laid back attitude, our country is suffering as an under-developed country. We should change this attitude of ours, especially the government institutions need immediate reforms regarding this matter.

— Coolcristofer, Pokhara

It surely is for this laid back attitude the country still hasn’t developed. I’m not sure if we Nepalis are all still smiling. Aren’t we all so frustrated that we don’t find any other way out except for coming out on the streets and ruining all our own property? That surely is not the way to protest but that shows the frustrations in us. We are neither so underdeveloped to know nothing about what’s happening around the world, nor are

we enjoying the freedom and facilities that is provided in developed countries. Our laid back attitude is making us go nowhere. I don’t know why we are waiting for others to do the work. Are we waiting for a strong leader? But s/he definitely has to be an honest leader.

— P Yonghang

I think our country still hasn’t developed because of this laid back attitude of Nepalis. We (especially high profile figures) never reach on time when we are invited for any programme or inauguration. So what can be said about ordinary people? I think we have to follow their path or have the option of starting the programme without a chief guest. I think nobody wants their work to be done late. Everybody wants to finish their work on time, especially foreigners but they seem to like us because they don’t have any other option and can’t show their negative attitude towards Nepali people in Nepal. They may also be attracted because of our simplicity or the natural beauty of our country.

— Ratna Shrestha

Being calm and relaxed does have a positive effect, but we also tend to develop a sense of procrastination towards our duties. We deliberately avoid things and do not complete tasks on time, saying that nothing happens on time and it is our Nepali time, the cliche we have been hearing since ages. Foreigners seem to like our attitude because they are always bound by time and punctuality is their trait which has always put them under extreme pressure to meet deadlines. So, they enjoy our relaxed nature which has eluded them. I think this laid-back attitude of ours is not the reason why our country hasn’t developed but then we have so much time to do our work that we take things for granted.

— Bibhor, Nepalgunj

As we are failing to achieve our goal, there is something wrong or lacking, so we have to modify or change our ways. Our country is far behind because of many reasons. One of them is out-dated thoughts and attitude. We are proudly carrying on our ‘Nepali Time’ instead of changing our attitude. Laid back attitude of ours is quite shameful. Our work is never done on time and we do not get its value or good results. Hence, let’s change our attitude and adopt good aspects of others which will lead us towards progress. Work done on time will keep us smiling and happy, it should be our country’s charm.

— Khushee

Laid back attitude seems to have been inherited by Nepali people. People of no other country have this trait. Despite the slow paced development works which the country and its people are suffering from, it has been also been a boon for Nepal. As people have no difficulty in managing themselves under circumstances like working on projects which were started since long time ago. It makes it easy to handle such works as no one cares for the delay in any work. So it has actually been good for our country.

— Nilotpal Sharma

It is very true that we do not follow time, and to strictly follow it is of course a big mistake. However, it is not a problem with Nepali people only. I think it is applicable for others too. Although everyone is supposed to do their work on time, most are unable to do so. Well, it’s our nature that we keep smiling and are happy inspite of being laid back. It is not bad to say, we are used to having our own Nepali time, a little different or behind. But we shouldn’t take this aspect as the charm of our country. Either we accept it or not, it is our problem and fault that we have created ourselves and needs to be corrected by ourselves without blaming others. This laid back attitude might be one of the reasons that our country lags in development sector.

— Ekta Kabra

This laid back attitude has created many barriers in the path of development and it cannot be taken as a charm of our country. Due to this reason any work is not done at a fixed time. People of our country are not active and try to adjourn their crucial works too. But still, our nation is regarded as a place just like heaven where people are always happy and smiling.

— Unlucky

We Nepalis must not hide the fact that we are very unpunctual and reluctant. Take the examples from office, school or college. In school , everyday we have long queues of latecomers missing their classes. Students are considered the pillars of the country and future of the country depends upon them, so this attitude of the students must change. Western countries are progressing because the only key to their success is punctuality, they know the value of time and take things systematically well in time. As far as we are concerned, we hardly pay attention to our precious time. We take it for granted and consider it to be a small matter. We must not forget the saying, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’. So we must remember that little things done timely count a lot. The reason for foreign people smiling at us is that they haven’t had this kind of bizarre experience in their own country and this smile is not out of love. It’s more a form of humiliation towards us. The time has come for us to correct our mistakes and show our presence to rest of the world.

— Shoaib Malik, Samakhushi

Obviously the reason why Nepal is one of the poorest and weakest countries in the world can have many historical, socio-ecological and many other reasons. One of them may be the laid back attitude, but it is foolishness to think that this laid back demeanour could be a charm of any country. This kills the productivity of humans. If time that has been wasted had been utilised in studying, or thinking for the development of the country, certainly the situation of Nepal wouldn’t have been so bad. History proves that success and fortune comes as a boon to those who utilise time properly.

— Durga Oli

There is nothing to be proud of Nepali time because it has always thrown us backward in terms of development. Our country really lacks such kind of people who know the value of time or the meaning of punctuality. As the famous saying goes, ‘Ask the value

of one second to the sprinter who has missed the chance to hold the world record, the value of one minute to the one who has missed the train’. Unless an individual finds oneself in such critical situation they won’t understand what ‘time’ is all about.

— Shakti Gurung, Pokhara

Time plays a great factor in our life. We cannot make any progress if we cannot get any thing done on time. So time is very important in our life. We cannot be excused by blaming everything on Nepali time. This laid back attitude will push us backwards as we cannot make any achievements in any field. Delays and not being able to do anything on time makes us losers. As a result there will be slow progress in our country and it will be difficult for us to even survive. Whatever it may be but nature and good environment has made us happy and smiling even in difficult times. Foreigners like our behaviour as they are not happy in their country, though they have done a lot of economic progress. Their busy life does not let them be happy and cheerful. We are happy and smiling because of the beautiful nature we have, but foreigners do not get a chance to enjoy such things because of their busy life made by the progress of science and technology.

— Samir Shrestha

Yes, it’s true that we, Nepalis are always smiling although there may be lots of hardships and miseries we are facing. It is this smiling nature and hospitality of ours that attracts foreigners. This has really flourished the tourism industry of our country. But just this hospitality is not enough. There must be proper infrastructure, congenial and peaceful environment. We haven’t developed all these factors due to our laid back attitude in every sector be it economic, social or political. Let’s take an example of the current political situation of our country. Today our country and countrymen are facing troubles like lockouts, strikes, bandhs, and violence only due to the laid back nature of our politicians. If the same laid back nature of ours continues, Nepal will no more be known as a peace loving country. So, lets join our hands together to utilise our time and develop our country from today.

— Sweta Joshi

Nepalis are famous for their humbleness, generosity and hospitality. But having these qualities is not enough for the development of a country like Nepal where more than 30 per cent of the total population lives under abject poverty. To overcome the underlying social and economic problems discipline is necessary. While talking about discipline we often undermine punctuality. Unless we understand the value of time and make punctuality a part of life, it is impossible to achieve success and attain prosperity. Let us take the example of western countries where every minute is counted and is valuable. We should learn such good things from developed countries and start managing time if we wish to see our country to emerge out as a developed one.

— Ambika Pandey,

Chitwan

As time once gone never comes back, we should realise the value of time but that’s the major thing we are lacking. Especially government organisations are the ones that are still following this concept. Even if work can be completed in a minute, they will usually do it the next day only. As a result, we are pushing ourselves into darkness. It’s extremely shameful for all of us that we are still depending on foreign grants and donations to conduct even small works. All these are the results of ignoring the value of time and not utilising it in a proper manner. Thus it’s our foolishness to be proud on being late comers and yet think ourselves as happy citizens. And if happiness refers to live in such vulnerable situations with loads of scarcity then (ironically) yes, we are happy!!!

— Devee Sherpa

Undoubtedly, today’s world respects those who are hard working and punctual. Getting your work done on time is very important. We know that time and tide wait for none. So, if we fail to complete the job on time, we get rewarded by lagging behind and moving a step back in the race of life. Our slowness keeps us at an arm’s length from enjoying the pleasures of success. Every citizen’s success contributes to the success of the nation. So our laid back attitude would do nothing good for the nation. As far as foreigners are concerned, it is the hospitality and cooperative nature of Ne-palis which pleases them.

— Sandeep Sah, Naya Baneshwor

Society is made up of different types of people, some do their work on time whereas some people want even their share of work to be done by others and some just postpone it. I think one should do their work on time themselves. Once upon a time a demon of Lanka wanted to make a golden ladder to go to heaven, but he always adjourned his work for tomorrow and never got down to doing it. One day he died before fulfiling his desire. We have got limited time in this world. If a person who performs his/her work on time, his/her life will be meaningful. It is said that time and tide never waits for anyone. People from western countries do their work on time and have so become successful. Lord Buddha said that work is worship. We should so our work on time and attain success and be happy.

— Sudarsan Kandel, Thamel