What Is Your Opinion of Someone Who Is Always Late?

Question

I was dating a woman who was about 40 minutes from me. I would always drive to her city to the restaurant of her choice. I always arrive at least 10 minutes early because I'm punctual. She would text me 5 minutes before she was supposed to be there and say, "I'm on my way." Or, "I'm in my car leaving now." She would arrive 25 minutes later.

This normally wouldn't bother me but there were other issues that were bothering me. Well, the last time we were supposed to meet she again texted me, "I'm leaving right now." It was 40 minutes later and still no word from her.

I went to my car and texted her that it's been 40 minutes and I'm leaving. She texted back saying that she should have told me that she had some errands to do before meeting me. No apology, just an excuse.

Ozanne · Accepted Answer

I remember hearing or reading once that when someone is late, they are arrogantly presuming their time is more important than yours. I'll never forget this, and apply it to the people in my life who constantly keep me waiting.

I have learned who the people are who are rarely late, but the times that they are, are forgivable, given they are normally punctual and their excuse is usually valid. But I also know who the late ones are, and I have decided that I need to cut my time with them altogether if they're also shitty people, or I have to maneuver other tricks to see them.

For example, with one friend, I will never invite her over anymore because she will be hours late. Instead we make some time at her house, and a time, and I show up on time. With one of my relatives, we have to tell him dinner reservations are at 6pm so when he finally shows up at 7pm, that's when we secretly made the reservation anyway.

But as a partner, who I just met? Showing up late so much? That's a sign that they do not find your time is a priority and they are taking advantage of you waiting for them. All of the I'm Sorries and It Hope Happen Agains are just talk when they keep on happening. You're in to that sort of behaviour for life with some people like that. They never seem to get their shit together to know how to be on time for you or anyone else. To me, that's a huge personality flaw.

Rei13 · Accepted Answer

Generally if someone usually runs a few minutes late it doesn’t bother me unless it was something you had to be punctual for, in which case it’s better to set the meeting time earlier to give wiggle room. If someone is consistently a half hour late (as not just every once in awhile, in which case no biggie life happens) however it would bother me and I probably would stop making plans with them. I’ve been guilty of being consistently late by small margins so I don’t judge others for it, however I’ve gotten better at managing it for the most part. But also a difference between 5-10 minutes and 30-45 minutes

RingOfFire · Accepted Answer

Inexcusable... a few minutes is one thing but 40 minutes without a word? Sucks the big one. Later.

I once met someone online and drove 3 hours to her city to meet her after about a month of talking. Bought her flowers and made special arrangements at a vegan (not my choice but she was a vegan) restaurant there for a surprise desert for us to eat.

Got there and she never showed. Phone calls to her number were unanswered. Tried for about 2 hours and left messages for her.

Finally gave the flowers to a girl passing by and left... drove home in the dark.

So she writes me and says she got "cold feet." Ahhhhh really? Said she still wanted to meet. Normally I would have said forget about it. But honestly this was one of the best looking women I have ever seen and I was intrigued. So I gave it one more try.

We dated for about 6 months but although she was world class in the looks department she wasn't my type otherwise and I broke up with her.

PS... on the site I met her she didn't even have a picture posted. I didn't see what she looked like until after she stood me up... and she sent a picture. I was shocked! Had no idea she was that good looking in all the time I was talking to her.

Not all catfishes are catfishes. Too bad it didn't work out.

Kaamraj · Accepted Answer

Analyze this from a prism of sexual dynamics. Someone who is habitually late assumes that their time is more important than yours and makes no effort to rectify this. Most women who are young and in their sexual prime make this mistake. She could be jobless without a degree but since she's getting validation on social media apps she has this mentality. The proper response to this would be to tell her that her behaviour is unacceptable and you feel disrespected. If she doesn't acknowledge then it's a big red flag, just leave.

LaFemmeFatale_1 · Answer

I used to be that person. Trying to change now.

StarWarGirl · Answer

I don't like. I'm more punctual and I like to specify the time if possible. I mean they should tell me specific hours or minutes they want to take if they have to. Or if they feel they could not be there around then because of emergency they should inform me sooner. Instead of making the excuses or telling sorry later.

BeeNee · Answer

Things can happen on a first date, or every once in a while, that might prevent someone from being being on time, but 4, 7, 10 times, I'm out. When you take time to get ready and be on time for your date, or even early as you have, you do so out of respect that they've done the same. When someone is habitually late, it shows they don't value your time and/or worse, expect you to wait for them.

mobiusforniner · Answer

Hate it. Successful people plan ahead. Someones tardiness is and indication of poor planning, impulsivity and im worse cases, entitlement.

Its too late for me to fix now, but my in laws are terrible about time management. They always show up and hour to two hours late to anything. They dismiss it as being "carefree"

exitseven · Answer

It shows a lack of consideration. My wife's sister was always an hour late for Thanksgiving dinner. My MIL always wanted ut to wait. I wanted to start without her. the next year I told my wife to tell her dinner will be served a hpur earlier than it was going to be served. This trick worked.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

I generally cut these people out if my life. I've known a few who would straight up lie to get you to wait. Saying they are on their way and be there in 5 but haven't even gotten dressed yet. The one person I'll give slack to is my sister. She has horrible time management and I know she doesn't do it on purpose. She's just shitty at estimating how long things take to get done.

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

There never would have been a second date. That's wildly disrespectful. If she's showing up to dinner 25 minutes late I've already started the main course and it's no longer a date, it's merely two people in the same restaurant.

Apple1996 · Answer

People that are late annoy me sooo badly. 😣 I have some family members like that. I tell them the time is a hour or 2 earlier than what is the real meeting time and they still end up a few mintues late but it's better then 2hrs late

Anemone978 · Answer

It just makes me think they are dumb.. my older sister is constantly late for things so lots of times I lie and tell her the thing is an hour earlier LOL

menina · Answer

I'm usually late but I'm changing that. However, I never got to a place 40 minutes later. That's disrespectful and it shows that she's not interested in being on time for you.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I have some history of being late in general, but for important events, business meetings, people waiting for me... I really preplan by the minute to be punctual.

Skull_Anon · Answer

"If you date is late.. you shall no longer appreciate nor await" -Master OOgway

shades777 · Answer

unless she's paying you yo wait and you don't have a backbone, there's a difference between testing and disrespecting, honestly you shouldn't have waited the first time ut happened

ProbablyClueless · Answer

Chronically late people are honestly a problem for me.

thegreenyogi · Answer

They're not particularly interested especially if it happens all the time.

OddBeMe · Answer

Someone who has an interesting life. Like me. As I’m always late.

BLP11520 · Answer

Well they show irresponsibility and a lack of respect

Anonymous · Answer

Being consistently late is an indication of a selfish person.

Jazzy54 · Answer

They have no time management.

Fireguy17 · Answer

Not happy about it at all.

What Is Your Opinion of Someone Who Is Always Late?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

What Is Your Opinion of Someone Who Is Always Late?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.