I've experienced this with the local South Asian Indian culture. After showing up to a wedding at the actual time of the invite with no one there, I mean the temple is still closed, and the ensuing laughter of me showing up on time versus the 2 hour buffer they add, I refer to it as Indian Standard Time now.

I see it all the time in vendors, drivers, staff and hockey teammates. Being on time is sort of a suggestion for many of them in observation. They say a time they think you want to hear and then do whatever they really are going to do.

It was very frustrating when we could barely start games on time or at all due to not enough players to start. However near the end of the game everyone is there, then they want to keep playing long after the game ends. It's really bizarre to me being raised on "English" time.