Fashionably Late
@arthurchappell (44941)
Preston, England
April 3, 2017 2:02pm CST
As a punctuality obsessive, I hate the phrase ‘fashionably late.’ It just means late! It can even be a euphemism for habitually late, with the expectation that we should just take it a read that someone won’t be turning up on time. We are expected to grant them a license to typically turn up when they feel like it with some lame excuse or other.
At work, pay can be docked for bad time-keeping and I’d be quite tyrannical in enforcing that too. I often give friends instruction to meet with me up to thirty minutes before I actually want to see them, as there is more chance they will then make the actual time.
It seems to be a wedding custom for the bride to arrive late, which may be a factor in why I have never married. I expect if I was kept deliberately waiting for the bride she would arrive to find me ‘fashionably gone’ when she finally bothered turning up. I would feel as if the special day had been too ruined for me. I really can be that much of a clock watcher.
Arthur Chappell
15 people like this
14 responses
@RasmaSandra (97991)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Apr 17
I remember by mom telling me that when she went to meet friends they all expected someone to be fashionable late. Yes, her friends were Latvian so we even have that saying too. I also think it is odd. Either you are on time or you're late.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
3 Apr 17
I was taught that being late is rude and shows disrespect for the person you keep waiting. I am rarely late and if I am I call ahead and apologize. That gives the other person the courtesy of knowing I will be late and lets them reschedule if they want. I especially do that with my friends.
I habitually give myself at least 15 minutes leeway in case of traffic or something. It's a compulsion with me!
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
18 May 18
@arthurchappell
I understand what you are saying. I am sure not all brides are late. You should not want to get married because you have not found the right person.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
18 May 18
@Hannihar ( there would certainly be other factors to take into consideration beside the time keeping
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
5 Apr 17
I too give an earlier time to friends I know who have the fashionably late habit.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Apr 17
I am like you. I like to be some place early. I try to live by the golden rule and I would want people to be early to anything I had gong on so I try to always be early where I go. I think it is only right. Especially at your job. I think the manager would be pleased to know who showed up and a few minutes early isn't going to kill anyone. It's a good practice to get into.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
4 Apr 17
Those who make those grand appearances do it for attention. At our parties we never wait for them.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Apr 17
it's one thing when it's an event that can start without you, IE a party that you are attending, than something where people are having to literally wait for you before they can start. with cell phones these days, I better get a text ppl are late if they are going to be thus
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
3 Apr 17
I used to be late for everything. Now I can't stand it...in me or others.
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
If you ever get married just inform the bride you've booked the registrar and venue for half an hour earlier than you really did ... then she'll be fashionably early.
I will always arrive somewhere with lots of time to spare, but one of my friends is famous for being late.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43581)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Apr 17
I'm pretty big on punctuality myself. I get anxiety if I think I'm going to be late.
1 person likes this
