Time understanding problem
# supportv
vvvaskaa
06/08/2025, 8:07 PMHi!
I have a problem with assistant. I can't understand, what should I do to make my assistant understand the time during the conversation.
I don't need to use Google Calendar or anything else. I specified working hours and days in the prompt. It can understand it and even told me available days and time, but when I ask it about specific time (Thursday at 11:00 o'clock, for example) it tells me that it's an inappropriate date because the company doesn't work this day and time when actually it works
Call id: 261cbaab-8e1f-4764-966a-b3d3965b103a
Org id: 9fd6f861-20b1-47fb-8121-08800045e2f2
v
Vapi Support Bot
06/08/2025, 8:09 PMThank you for explaining your issue. To help you further, could you please share the exact prompt or configuration you are using to define your working hours and days in the assistant? This will help identify why the assistant is misinterpreting valid times.
Sources:
- [Prompting Guide](https://docs.vapi.ai/prompting-guide)
- [Dynamic Variables](https://docs.vapi.ai/assistants/dynamic-variables)
v
vvvaskaa
06/08/2025, 8:11 PM@User help pleaseš¤
k
Kings_bigš«
06/09/2025, 6:20 AMMake sure your assistantās time zone matches yours, clearly and explicitly define working hours in the prompt in a simple format, and ensure it can correctly parse specific date and time inputs to avoid misunderstandings about availability..
v
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 12:59 PMOkey, I'll try again.
And by the way, do you know how to explain to assistant what means "tomorrow" and "the day after tomorrow"?
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 12:59 PM@Kings_bigš«
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 1:33 PMI just don't understand... I give it exactly the time of work like this:
## Working Time\nWorking Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday\nStart Time: 09:00\nEnd Time: 15:00\nTimezone: UTC
And to make the assistant understand the time like this:
- Current Day of Week: {{"now" | date: "%A", "UTC"}}
- Current Time (24h format): {{"now" | date: "%H:%M", "UTC"}}
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 3:15 PMHere is the dialogue:
Great. When would be a good time for you to speak with our specialist?
How about Thursday at 11 o'clock?
I apologize, but our company isn't available then. How about Thursday at 9 30?
Wait a second. What's your working time?
Our working hours are Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM UTC.
But Thursday at 11 o'clock, what do you think?
I apologize, but Thursday at 11 o'clock is outside our working hours. Would 9 30 AM work for you instead?
But why? Why is it why is it outside of your working hours?
I apologize for the confusion. Thursday at 11 o'clock is indeed within our working hours. Would you like to confirm that time for the follow-up call?
But why did you say that no? That it's not inside of your working hours?
I apologize for the misunderstanding. That was an error on my part.
Thursday at 11 o'clock is within our working
No.
Thursday at 11 o'clock is within our working hours.
No. No.
Thursday at 11 o'clock is within our working hours.
Plainly. You explain me why?
I appreciate your patience. My initial response was incorrect due to a miscalculation regarding our working hours, I sincerely apologize for any confusion caused.
Would you like to confirm
Don't no.
Would you like to confirm
When
Would you like to confirm
Wait. Don't apologize. Just tell me explain to me why did you say that. Why did you say that this working hours is outside of like, just explain.
I understand your frustration. I've mistakenly interpreted the time zone and working hours which led to my incorrect response.
what is my time zone? Do what do you think?
I have access to your specific time zone information. However, our working hours are in UTC. Would you like to proceed with confirming the appointment for Thursday at 11 o'clock?
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 3:23 PM@User
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 3:28 PMWorking Time
Working Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 15:00
Timezone: UTC
Current Day of Week: {{"now" | date: "%A", "UTC"}}
Current Date: {{ "now" | date: "%B %d, %Y", "UTC"}}
Current Time (24h format): {{"now" | date: "%H:%M", "UTC"}}
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 5:51 PMeven if try to make it with my timezone (Madrid/Europe) - it doesn't work
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 5:59 PM@Kings_bigš« I've found the issue. She doesn't understand what means "o'clock"
vvvaskaa
06/09/2025, 5:59 PMIf I say "eleven AM" she understands but not the o'clock
k
Kyle
06/10/2025, 7:13 AMIf you need to have the assistant understand "o'clock" you can modify the prompt to include an example to interpret it correctly, but glad you were able to find a solution. If you need more assistance with this please let us know