Telling Time

Romanians use a 24-hour clock in written schedules (train, bus, tram), but a 12-hour clock in oral communication. Thus a train schedule may say the train departs at 13:00, but in conversation a person will say it is leaving at 1:00 p.m. Romania follows daylight savings time from late spring until early fall.

In general, business appointments run on time, and one should arrive five to ten minutes early. Socializing is more casual. For example, if one is invited for dinner at 6:00 pm, it would be proper to arrive fifteen to twenty minutes early to talk and have drinks ahead of time. When going out with friends the attitude is similarly casual, although being late for a meal is not appreciated. If someone is too late without having let anyone know, the group may leave without the straggler.