"Right now" what does it mean

[pedro]

everyday in Belize -you ask someone a question-like when is my package arriving and one is told "Right Now"

When is my car going to be fixed -answer "Right Now"

When is the plane leaving "Right Now"

When are you going to come "Right Now"

I asked people this today in the bank and they had no idea what it really means

I called a guy who was meeting me at 10.00am in Belize City -he said I will be there right now -he arrived at 11.25am -I suppose I was lucky

[JZB]

That is one of the first things we learned in Belize

Right now = eventually. (But if you're lucky it means ' soon ').

Manana = probably never so don't hold your breath.

[papashine]

It's been my experience that the term "right now" means that right now the individual doesn't have the time or inclination to do anything for you.

[ragman]

I was in San Pedro a few months ago buying "stuff" for my place.  A common refrain "Right Now" and "100% guaranteed” I will admit that most everything eventually happened but not on my time.  I had only one more day to go before I left and some items that where supposed to be picked up from the mainland and delivered to me (100% guaranteed) 2 days earlier, still hadn't arrived.  

Anyway I refused to leave the store until they arrived that night after the owner told me the shipment was enroute.  I told him that I would either have my goods or my money back and he sure didn't want to do that.  The "stuff" arrived at 7:30 PM and after I saw that at least he had it on the Island I returned the next morning to finish getting it to my place.  At one point he told me to go to the bridge and wait for them and they would get it straight up to my place that night.  I told them no way, I was afraid they would close the store and I would wait by the bridge for nothing.

In the end it all had a good ending.  I got what I wanted and everyone was happy, it just happened 3 days later than planned.  I'm aware that I will have to leave my type A personally back home. Don't worry be happy! I'll be OK when my visits are longer.  Trying to get something done fast is the way to an early grave or breakdown. Rant over.  

[Gela]

In my travels I've heard similar vague statements that led to personal interpretations such as:

"When will we get there? - Soon, very soon (this often met - another 5 hour drive).

"How far is it from here? - Not very far, we'll be there soon".

My favorite is, when asking a direct question to my Japanese counterparts, they would never say a direct no, they would say "yes it will be very difficult to...". That meant no - now way, no how.

These polite ways of not letting down, making someone disappointed, anxious, angry, etc. is a culture thing for many countries. For me, I just want to "cut to the chase" and tell me like it is. 

[Sunshine]

My Grandfather had a similar saying - he would say "right now, in a minute."  So take the phrase right now and tack a minute on!

[sdemaio]

One of the first things I learned after moving to belize is theat the term 'Right Now' has no reference to time.

it means is 'I heard you'

If you ask 'Is that a Belize right now or a real right now' You usually get and honest answer.

'It's a Belize Right Now means  do not wait around, find a bar and have a drink.

'No, No, it's a real Right Now' means you should offer to buy them a round when the task is done.

[Lemon Crush Lara]

right now = just a second, in a second, etc.