Thank goodness we allowed plenty of time
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382115)
Rockingham, Australia
December 4, 2025 7:37am CST
A few days ago, we took Vince’s sister and her husband to the airport. They were to catch a 12.30am flight to eventually get to London to spend Christmas with their son and his family.
My SIL seems programmed to be always late. We were to pick them up at 8.30pm for a 30-minute drive to the airport. When we got there, she was just getting out of the shower. Then she decided she couldn’t go to the airport without something to eat. I persuaded her to keeping getting ready and Vince would cook her scrambled eggs. Then she needed a cup of tea which I made for her while she continued to pack. Her husband was also running round in ever-decreasing circles.
They will return just after New Year so I asked if she wanted me to take the perishables from the fridge. I also took the rubbish home with me. We eventually left the house at 9.40pm which still gave them plenty of time but it was getting a bit tense there by that time. My SIL has a huge heart and we’d forgive her just about anything but we’ll be tossing up next time to see if we or my BIL takes them to the airport.
The photo is mine.
11 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
5 Dec
@JudyEv - I fully agree that this behaviour is very annoying. I remember a Christmas day, we stopped at our niece house to bring her with us to my Mom's apartment, she was not even dressed, with plenty of clothes on her bed undecided what to wear!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174500)
• United States
4 Dec
Oh, wow! Your SIL sounds just like my first wife. She hated being on time for anything and I hated being late. I finally just started driving myself and Pretty and letting her drive herself when we needed to go somewhere. She hated that but I didn't care.
I assume they got to their destination safely, at least.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382115)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Dec
I don't think she'll ever change. It's just the way she is.
@noni1959 (13048)
• United States
4 Dec
That is so frustrating. I know people that do this and I refuse to take them any longer unless they are ready by my arrival. Their lack of self-awareness is hard on others, but even when told, they will think it will still be fine. I began telling one friend a different time for something to have her on time. I hated lying but would say, "we need to be there by 2pm", and that would get us there on time for 3pm. She caught on. I think hers was some sort of defiance.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (13048)
• United States
6 Dec
@JudyEv You mentioning this reminded me of the time I took a relative to catch a flight home and she kept delaying "getting ready." The drive was two hours and we had to check in within 45 minutes or they would not allow. I finally had to get mean and tell her I will not take her and she sulked but we left. I knew we'd push it and we got in traffic jams on the 405 (heading to LAX.) I lived in California at the time.
They let her to through security even though it was less than 45 minutes and by the time we reached the gate, they closed the door. She blamed me! I was livid. She insisted going back to my house and I take her back the next morning when they moved her flight (she got lucky with that), and I said no, she had to get a hotel. I heard from others she said I made her late. 
I never took her again and crazy enough, she tried to get me to when she was visiting another relative.
I never took her again and crazy enough, she tried to get me to when she was visiting another relative.1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
4 Dec
Yes thank goodness..I would hate to be going to airports now.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
5 Dec
I can't stand it when people are late; and I can't stand being late for anything.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (10111)
• Calcutta, India
4 Dec
Oh I don't like being around / making plans with a person who is always late.
1 person likes this
