Polychronic people can carry on multiple conversations simultaneously - indeed, they would consider it rude not to do so. Past, present, and Future Orientations. Different cultures function according to different orientations towards the past, present, and future. That is, activities in the present are either designed to influence future events or likely to be influenced by past events. In the United States, the present is heavily influenced by the short-termed future.
Asian cultures tend to be oriented toward a more distant future.
Mexicans and many Latin cultures, on the other hand, are more heavily influenced by the past. Part of the difference may be related to cultural concepts of control over the environment, which may in turn be related to religious tradition. Mexico, for instance, is usually viewed as a fatalistic culture where the past is in control of the present and future. Americans, by contrast, have a greater sense of control over present and future events. Like context, time is variable across all levels of culture - social, professional, and functional.