Are you always early or don't you mind being late?

@doryvien (2284)
United States
July 1, 2009 8:05pm CST
I haven't seen my friend in a while and we've finally found the time to meet up. So I was there in our meeting place at least 30 minutes before the agreed time. My friend came 45 minutes later than the scheduled meeting, and tho' I was really pissed off at having to wait that long, I decided let it go as I didn't want to spoil the atmosplere. On my way home I realized she didn't even apologize for coming late and for making me wait that long. Well what else can I do but sigh... So do you let others wait and not feel guilty about it? Or are you like me who prefers to be there early? Your thoughts please.
5 people like this
25 responses
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
2 Oct 09
i am always early.. but i have friends who i know are always late.. then when meeting with these friends, i would not mind being late instead of waiting for them, right.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
5 Oct 09
Hi Chiyosan, Yes, sometimes it would do well to come late when meeting with friends who are always late to make them feel how it is to wait for someone, and make them realize the repercussions of what they did. Thanks for dropping by.
• Malaysia
1 Nov 09
You are good. I have a friend who is always at least half an hour early. A number of times I asked him to collect my at my home. He was always half an hour early to pick me up.
@JamesKYTan (1605)
• Malaysia
1 Nov 09
Most of the time I am either early or on time for my appointments. When I am early I just inform the other party on his cellphone that I have arrived. This a polite or indirect way of asking him to hurry up because I did not mention anything about hurry up. I just said, " I have arrived." He replied, " OK, Give me another 20 minutes."
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Hi James, That's a good one, making your friend hurry up indirectly by telling him you've arrived. I think I'm gonna use that, I'm not sure though if it will work on her. I just don't understand why some people prefer to be late, coz personally, I feel doing it is rude that's why I don't do it.
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
3 Jul 09
i think if i come to ameeting normally i am on time so not really early but not really late!!i don't like to be wited by the people i must meet in that day so i try to come on time!!You know i am man so normally if i come out with girl normally she will come late than me..you know they are women..eheh
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Very well said. And it's nice to know that you have accepted the norm that women are allowed to arrive later than the man when going on a date, it's just sweet and very gentlemanly. Thanks for responding and happy myLotting!
• Philippines
28 Sep 09
Hello doryvien, I am always on time when meeting my friends. I am usually the one who is waiting. But good thing, my friends know how to apologize, and mostly I would accept their apology. But still I have to tell them do not do it again. But of course, they keep on doing that. The good thing about this, is that when I am the one who is late because of a valid reason, they worry immediately, since it is not like me. Have fun earning and posting!
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Hi red_amethyst, It seems the likes of "us" who prefer to come on time or earlier have no choice but to endure waiting. I sometimes tell myself that I shouldn't come early, and maybe let them wait like my friends do sometimes, but I guess once a habit, always a habit. Just like you, coming on time is a habit I can't break, even when some have actually made me wait really long. Thanks for dropping by.
• Malaysia
30 Sep 09
She should have contacted you to inform that she was going to be late. If I were you, I would be wondering whether my friend would show up or not and I didn't mind if she was caught in a traffic jam or some errands as long as I knew she was coming. If I couldn't reach her, I would wait, but the first question I would definitely be asking is why she's late, and I bet she would automatically apologize for being late. Sometimes, I am late too, but I would turn the situation around, contact or text that friend and of course, when I reach the place, I would say 'sorry'. Anyway, to answer your questions, I don't like to make others wait because I don't like to be kept waiting as well. I prefer to be earlier and settle myself if possible.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Hi Corry, I'm like you, I don't want others to wait for me so I'm normally the first to arrive at the meeting place. As to this friend of mine, I guess me and our common friends have come to accept her that way, although most of the time it is annoying. But since it was a meeting that happened after a long time of not seeing each other, I felt it was okay to let it pass. I'm sure I'll get tired of it if it happens too often. Good thing we get to see each other only once in a while.
@alex_raju (173)
• India
2 Jul 09
In case of matters i don't like , I'm usually late by 15 minutes and 15 minutes earlier in opposite cases.I'm very comfortable with this routine
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Will take that too. To each his own I should say. But I'll suggest not to agree on any appointment if you don't want to be there in the first place, to spare yourself from being judged wrongly (like being rude, or being disrespectful). Peace! Thanks for responding.
@subha12 (18441)
• India
2 Jul 09
I am always early. i am like that only. I do not like to b late for anything. I do not want the world to wit for me.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hi subha, That makes us two, along with a whole lot of others here. It's always better to be early than late. Thanks for sharing and happy myLotting!
@Beertjie (976)
• South Africa
2 Jul 09
I am glad I don't have such friends as that. I hate being late, and people that are late irretate me. It is bad manners and speak of lack of respect for the person who has to wait. Would a person be late for a job interview, I bet not. Chances are if you are late for a job interview, you aint got the job, you failed the first test...discipline. Next time let your friend know, in a nice way, that you have been waiting a long time. Fiends do not disrespect one another. Blessings
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hi Beertjie, Thanks for the advice. I think I really should. I also believe she should know that it's not okay, maybe it's my fault too coz I never mentioned to her my feelings when she does this, which happens most of the time. Maybe she thought I don't mind. It's high time she knows that I do. Thanks a lot for responding and happy myLotting!
• Malaysia
2 Jul 09
I always make an effort to arrive early. I hate to wait for people and to be waited. To me, it's kinda rude to keep people waiting. It shows that you do not respect that person as well. One of my friends is always late everytime we go out, whether it's for a movie or having dinner. I always scold him to be punctual but to no avail.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hi Jamesme, You got it right, it's rude to let other people wait. Your friend, like my friend seem to have something in common - they are always late and they don't just care. But then again, since they are our friends, we tend to forgive them even when they do it over and over again. Funny, right?
@srganesh (6340)
• India
2 Jul 09
Well,I like to be punctual to any place and so I always think of reaching the place a few minutes earlier.If by chance I can't be in time,I will phone the people about my delay.That way they need not wait for me or reschedule the meeting.It is good manners to say sorry and explain the reason for the late.Cheers!
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hi srganesh, Yes, I agree. That's the least we can do when we can't be there on time. A text message or a phone call to let them know of your delay and why, and an honest apology when you finally get there will usually settle the matter. Thanks for sharing.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
2 Jul 09
When I have an appointment I am always early I don't like being late for anything. I think when a person is always late they have no respect for the person that they are meeting with.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi lelin, Very well said. Respect begets respect, one can't expect it if he can't give it. Better be there early or on time than run the risk of losing respect from friends. Thanks for sharing.
@gcorp09 (940)
• Singapore
2 Jul 09
Well, I'm one who do not like to be late. I will usually try to be around 5 - 10 minutes earlier than the meeting time if possible. I do not think it's good to let people wait. In the case I'm really late because of some unforeseen circumstances (for eg. traffic jam), I will apologize and feel guilty about it.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi gcorp, I agree with you 100%. Coming a little early or just in time is a healthy attitude. And it also elicits good impressions from your friends about you as a person. Thanks for dropping by. Happy myLotting.
@KawaiiInu (143)
• Uruguay
2 Jul 09
I absolutly HATE being late. I think in my 19, soon 20 years, I've only been late 1-2 times.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Wow! That's a healthy attitude for a young individual like you. Just keep it up and you'll do great when you start pursuing you dreams. Punctuality is rewarded in so many ways. If you continue to be in control of your time, there's no way you will not succeed in your chosen path. Happy myLotting.
• Malaysia
2 Jul 09
I hate people being late. but sometime, especially people with small kids or baby, it's hard to predict becuase the minors might cause some delay like they want to go for toilet, or sleep when you are ready to out. try arrange your meet at shopping mall or bookshop, that will give you something to do while waiting without wasting your time.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I'd say what you mentioned is an exception to the rule, but I agree, we should be considerate to those who have kids in their tow. Of course it will still be polite to let the person know of the delay via text or a phone call. Oh yes, that's a good idea! Meet up with them in a mall so you can be amused while waiting. Thanks for sharing and happy myLotting!
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
2 Jul 09
Hello doryvien. I like to be early in most things that I am attending. It can be waiting for a friend or going to a function. Besides not getting my friends angry, I also have this inkling that if I come late, I won't be able to think straight like being panicky and all that. If I come a bit earlier, I could settle down myself and think calmly. Something like that..
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi Zed, I agree. Coming early gives me enough time to be composed and prepared and enables me to organize things whenever necessary. It's also my way of showing respect to my friends/companions and recognizing their effort to be there with me. Thanks for responding and happy myLotting!
@ucue2008 (924)
• Malaysia
2 Jul 09
I always early and I'm not really like waiting. It remind me a friend while I was in university, if she promised anything, she will eb alte at least an hour and she will give full of excuses. As I'm like don't want to ruin the atmosphere, I just let it go, fo many times and she keeps repeating it again and again. I guess some people are like that, don't really bother about time.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi ucue, I understand where you're coming from. And yes, there are people who just aren't bothered about letting others wait. Worst, they make lame excuses rather than just admit and apologize. Thanks a lot for sharing.
@peace001 (726)
• China
2 Jul 09
I don't want to waste my time for waiting.so when I date someone I always get earlier.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
You're right. We cannot expect others to come on time if we can't do it ourselves. Better learn from the golden rule: "don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you". Thanks for sharing and happy myLotting!
@mithrril (73)
• United States
2 Jul 09
I'm almost never late and, if I am, I feel horrible about it. In all of my years of working, I've only been late to work once. My car broke down and I had to find another ride in. Even then I was only about 10 minutes late. Normally I'm 20 or so minutes early for anything. I have a really hard time not being excessively early. I get impatient to leave once I'm ready and I always assume it will take longer than it really does. Most of my friends are either just on time or late, so I'm used to sitting around waiting for people. I don't mind other people being late too much. I'm used to it. As long as you call or answer your phone if I call you, I'm generally fine with it. If you're late to a movie though, I'm going to be really annoyed. I want to be seated far before the movie and getting there right before or during the previews annoys the crap out of me.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
You must have been awarded the Employee of the Year for being so punctual. In my country(the Philippines), Americans are generally known to be "always on time" and, when we say "we meet at 8am American time", it actually means "we meet at 8am promptly and those who are late will not be tolerated". Sadly, not everyone can be as prompt as others. Thanks for sharing!
• Philippines
2 Jul 09
for me being early is good.. but some times im getting late. because of many reasons. but its nice if you are early always.. but not exaggerated
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi Createmoney, Thanks for responding. Of course being late sometimes is forgivable, there are instances when this can't be avoided. But it's always better to be early. Peace!
• United States
2 Jul 09
If I ever come late to something it's proboably because I had a family emergency other tan that I am never late to anything at all no matter what it is.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi Sandra, Yes, an emergency is a valid reason for not being able to come on time. These are the things that are beyond our control and our friends/workmates will definitely understand. Thanks for responding and happy myLotting!