Fiji Time – its Meaning and how it Affects you

Day-to-day life here moves at its own pace; famously known as Fiji Time. Some have been heard to say, “Welcome to Fiji, where time stands still.”

Fiji Time means to focus on and prioritize patience, community, and low stress. It is a mindset or ethos where life moves more slowly. People prioritize family and personal obligations over rigid schedules, living by the philosophy that “good things take time.” Bula Time is the practical application of this mindset for visitors—an invitation to slow down, drop the urgency, smile, and embrace a “relax, don’t worry” attitude.

Want an example? Here is one: If you ask someone on the street for directions, they are likely to pause, look you up and down, and ask where you are from. They will slow the conversation down—and you with it! Eventually, you will get your directions, but in the meantime, you just encountered real-life Bula Time and made a new friend!

Fiji time – it is an apt saying. Many people enjoy a simple, uncomplicated lifestyle, bucolic for many, even if they live mere minutes from the heart of Fiji’s towns. In fact, most of Fiji’s towns qualify as rural townships by the standards of other countries, rather than bustling metropolitan centres. And so the true reflection of living on Fiji Time lies not so much in one’s geographical location but in attitude, or outlook on life. And while time doesn’t actually stand still here it definitely moves pretty slowly. Even the land seems to be imbued with a certain languidness. Fijians have defined their rankings of the important things in life in the order of God, family, and community. Philosophically, they know that good things take time; there is no need to rush because if it needs to be done, it will be done and at the right time. It requires something unusually important to justify urgency and the stress that comes with it.

There is a lot to be said for not frenetically rushing to get things done – to be able to put things in their proper perspective. So while you are in Fiji, adopt the Fiji Time trick and relax, don’t worry, and be happy; easy does it. If you are not sure how to adjust, take a trip around and check out the sights of everyday life here. You won’t have to go far to understand. And if the service seems a little slow, or your tour doesn’t leave exactly when it is supposed to, then -whatever you do, don’t forget to smile. Remember you’re on ‘bula time’ now.