There are two types of people in this world, those that are late and those that are waiting for those that are late.
If you’re wondering which type you are and don’t recall waiting for anyone, I’m afraid that’s because they’re waiting for you. All of them. I fit in to the second category and I’d like to explain why I have a problem with those in the first category.
I don’t like to be late. In fact, I hate it. When I was at secondary school (high school, big school, etc.) I was never late. Not once in five years. I had a few days off sick here or there over that time, but my record when I left showed a big fat zero next to lateness. I’m proud of that. People knew that if I said that I would be somewhere at a certain time then I was going to be there at that time. Not any more.
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| There is no perspective in this shot. It really is a giant hand and watch. Honest. |
The difference between now and then is that I used to just be responsible for myself. I could make a commitment, work out what time I needed to leave and then ensure that I was ready and left at that time. It’s not just me anymore and I’m assured that it’s not that easy. Clearly I’ve been doing it wrong.
The way I see it, if you tell somebody you will be somewhere at a particular time then you are making a verbal contract with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s for a job interview, a meal out or a random coffee, if you don’t turn up on time then you are showing disrespect to that other person; you’re saying that their time isn’t as important as yours. What right do you have to make them wait for you? They may have had something far more rewarding to do than sit around wondering what time you’re going to turn up.
But this isn’t just about those at the other end, waiting for you to arrive. What about those at this end, waiting to leave? You may not be bothered about stealing the time of those at the other end, but what about the partner that’s been ready for the past half an hour? By making them wait you are also showing them disrespect and saying that their time is not as important as yours. You know when they’re clearly upset and annoyed that you’re running late, but are trying to be civil? That’s the feeling that they start every event with. You may breeze in, laughing and giggling, but they’re struggling to adjust their mood so that they can enjoy themselves. Not much fun.
Time is our most precious commodity. We want to spend it with our friends, relatives and loved ones, or just doing what we want to do, but so does everybody else. By making people wait we are robbing them of that time, and they will never get it back. It’s unfair and it’s rude. If we cannot make the effort to be on time then we should have agreed on another time or just not gone at all.
Here’s a little tip:
Look at what time you are meant to be somewhere
Work out how long it takes to get there (not the shortest possible time, if you were able to fly)
Take that length of time away from the arrival time and you have your departure time
Work out how long it takes you to get ready (shower, outfit choosing time, outfit swapping time, makeup, shave, admiring yourself in the mirror, cup of tea, hair, admiring yourself in the mirror, outfit swapping time, finding the right bag, choosing the smellies, what shoes, admiring yourself in the mirror, etc.) and ADD IT ALL UP
Add half an hour
Take that length of time away from the departure time and you have your ‘I need to start getting ready’ time
Follow this and you need never be late again. Carry on as you are and you will always be late, saying sorry for your tardiness, most likely with a very annoyed person in tow. Try to be considerate. Show some respect.
Rant over.
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