The Lost Art of Punctuality

posted January 14th, 2019 at 6:38 PM

When I say I will meet someone at a specific time, that is a personal contract. I am making a commitment to that person. I am telling them that I value their time as much as my own. And that I respect them enough to be realistic on when I think we can get together. And I stick to my word. Because if they can't trust me when I make minor promises, why should I expect them to trust me when it comes to bigger commitments? I will do my best to be on time. So why can't I expect the same from others? Friend in the hospital? Dog sick? Text me! It takes 20 seconds! I will understand. Life happens. But don't blame your chronic lateness on taxis or buses. We all know how unreliable those things are so take that into account or find a different, more reliable way to get around. If you are consistently late, I will learn not to rely on you. And, slowly but surely, I will ease you out of my life. Being late is like telling me that you don't respect me and don't care. I will react accordingly.

9 Comments

It takes 10 seconds to text

Jan 14, 2019 at 6:58pm

"Hey I'll be 5 minutes late.
They don't do this,I move on to other things,and yet I'm said to be an a-hole because I don't let other people waste my time.

Yes!!!!

Jan 14, 2019 at 7:54pm

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve known a few people in my life who are chronically late, and it’s infuriating. I think of as disrespectful and selfish. It’s also a form of passive aggression. Two of them aren’t in my life anymore, because they proved to be all of those things.

Hope you'll enjoy being alone

Jan 14, 2019 at 8:31pm

Lateness is chronic. I agree with you.

Chronic

Jan 14, 2019 at 8:46pm

As in congestion, not as in weed.
This is one of the most afflicted places in the developed world when it comes to traffic. Which has gotten worse even just since 2012 (when I arrived).
I'm usually pretty good at advising people of traffic-related delays, but this place is getting stupid with regards to accidents and construction.
Normally I keep it to 5min or less delay. But I'm almost always 30+min away from my destination. Around here, a lot can happen in a half hour and often does. And I'm obviously not adjusting for the worst driving habits of anywhere I've been in the world. Including Latin America, Europe and the UK. Which says a lot because European drivers are generally very crazy, and many Latinos are "fun-loving and spontaneous" behind the wheel.

Anonymous

Jan 15, 2019 at 12:26am

people like u who take these kinda things personal are really annoying to be around. it's not all about u.

I just leave

Jan 15, 2019 at 8:37am

After a certain period of time, I just leave. No longer get upset or feel hurt. It feels great. Teaches the person who is late some manners.

Yup

Jan 15, 2019 at 12:44pm

Traffic & transit delays are a given in the lower mainland. Call or text if you are late.

No excuses

Jan 16, 2019 at 3:28pm

It's not like it's 1986 and no one has communication devices at their fingertips all day and all night. Take 10 seconds to be a decent human and say "I'm running behind, see you in 20 minutes". Habitual retards (meaning slow or late) are not a victims of outside circumstances, just rude. I don't make plans with those types any more because of the lack of reliability.

AlteredStaite

Jan 17, 2019 at 10:26am

Not being able to text somebody when you're stuck in traffic behind an accident or road closure makes it very difficult now to be polite. One has to leave a half hour early to allow for unexpected delays.