How important is punctuality for you?

Question

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

I mean….. obviously it’s better to be punctual.

For myself, I try to make sure that I’m a little early for appointments, any kind of professional meet-up, etc.

With friends, unless we have hard plans, like tickets to a game that starts at whatever time, I’m more like “let’s meet around 3, 3:30”, something like that. That leaves it loose for all involved and accommodates for unforeseen delays. I live around Boston, and you just can’t drive anywhere around here anymore, it’s out of control.
So it’s tough be like “be here at 2:15 AM SHARP”….

This guy was my favorite hockey player growing up🤣🤣🤣

If I’m the one waiting, I’m pretty patient. I don’t get mad if someone is a little late. Things happen.

I do have two friends who drive me NUTS though, lmfao. One of them, I gave him my second Red Sox ticket I was gifted. This kid is just the least “together” adult I know. Great guy, but he’s a mess. I had both physical tickets, I couldn’t transfer them electronically. I was stuck outside our gate at Fenway Park, for Red Sox vs Yankees, until the most of the way through the second inning, waiting for him to show up. And the Sox hit a couple home runs early, so I’m just outside listening to the most exciting moments of the game that I should be watching🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I chose him to go because he loves sports and he’s poor as fuck coming off a divorce. But you gotta get yourself into the city on time in that situation, when someone else is waiting for you. He used to be a driver for a car service, he knows Boston traffic is insane. LEAVE EARLY😒 Luckily the rout continued and I saw plenty more homers, but I would’ve been PISSED if the explosive action was all early.

Then my other friend is just a pathological liar, lmfao. I might need better friends😂 But he’s the classic “oh yeah, I’m on my way right now!”, but he’s not. But that usually means someone is still in the shower at home, and they’re going to be there 30-45 minutes late. THIS GUY, he might literally be in another state, at the airport, which he won’t tell you, and he’ll show up HOURS late.

He used to be my boss, lmfao, and we had a big holiday dinner at a fancy restaurant in Boston, when we were based 2 hours west of there. He convinced me to ride with him, and the plan was I would leave with another friend/co-worker from the restaurant, stay overnight at his place, and my boss-friend would stay overnight at his parents’ place in the suburbs, and would come by our other friend’s the next day to pick me up (now with his wife in tow), and drive me back to our company HQ where I was parked.

I wake up the next morning, my friend’s wife makes breakfast, I take a shower, pack my things, tidy up where I slept. I’m expecting a noon pickup or so. I think my friend and his wife were too.

This kid didn’t end up coming until like 6 PM lmfao. He went around to different furniture stores with his wife all day, checking stuff out to maybe buy. Knows I’m waiting. Knows my buddy is waiting, so his family can get on with their Saturday. The wife isn’t to blame, he probably said there was no set time to get me. He couldn’t promise both things to both of us, but he did it anyway. That’s his M. O., 100%. Wants to be a good times guy, never say “no”…. but he’ll just leave you hanging instead, and just come back like “ahhhhhhh, shenanigans, y’know?”🙃🙃🙃, and we’re all supposed to forgive him and be like “oh, YOU!”🙄😅 And then he just does it over and over and over for like 25+ years now, lmfao.

Anyway, the kicker to that story is, not only did he show up wildly late and fuck like three people’s weekend plans up, he also waited until a goddamn snowstorm showed up, and we had to drive home on the highway at like 30 mph, it took like 3 1/2 hours, skidding out and shit😒😒😒 He’s truly unbelievable, lmao.

So with him, we all just know to build in an extra 2-6 hours buffer time for whenever he says he’ll be there🤣

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

I don't like to be late. A person who is late is being rude.

Having said thst, I've known enough women in my life to know that most women don't care about punctuality. They are almost always at least 5 or 10 minutes late, which we guys have to just put up with.

Screenwriter · Accepted Answer

I think it's important. Being five minutes late is one thing. But you need to know to leave early enough so you arrive early. Especially for work. If you arrive on the dot, as so many say, you're late because you have to put away your lunch, get organized at your desk, look over what you need to do.

There is ONE area where arriving a few minutes late is called being punctual: For a dinner or party at someone's house. It always takes a host or hostess longer to get together than they think: Even the best planners/party givers.

So the "fashionably late" tag is placed on such arrivals. If dinner is at 7, showing at 715 or 720 is fine. Hosts are always rushing around doing some little thing at the last minute.

But OTHERWISE, for a sit-down dinner at a restaurant, arrive on time or a few early, especially with reservations. For work, always get there early to set yourself up. For house parties and dinners, arrive later. Hosts need wiggle room.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I have learned this the hard way. Someone who is consistently late is someone who does not respect you

Greek_goddess_Iris · Answer

I find it very disrespectful if someone shows up late. Unless you give me a legit good excuse. Or a heads-up.

I had a date scheduled with a man I was chatting with. I knew he was a bit egotistical, but didn't make much of it. We scheduled a date and he said he'll come to pick me up. He was an hour late! without ever giving me an update. When he showed up, I told him, "You are late". His response was "yeah, I'm always late". 😲

My self respect is to high for this attitude and mindset. So I just closed the door. Apparently I was the first woman to call him out on his sh:t.

He's good looking and has money. So he gets away with it. But pulling that "I'm always late" stund and not care about it, I find very disrespectful.

Be. On. Time.

Purpleronnie · Answer

I always aim to be there slightly before the meeting time , whether for business or social , that’s just who I am , it’s important to me and it seems a really basic thing to get right.
When people can’t meet me at the time agreed within a small margin it does slightly annoy me but I will make allowances when appropriate.
So punctuality speaks to me as respect , consistency , integrity , reliability and that their time to me is valuable. I will always pass comment on a persons ability to be punctual

thegreenyogi · Answer

Incredibly important. When I was in high school there was a teacher that always used to say that punctuality was a sign of interest. Somehow it always stuck with me and I am so obsessed about getting somewhere on time that the mere thought of arriving late makes me anxious.

Beckybooboo · Answer

I always try to be early. My dad always said, "leave early enough that you can change a flat tire and still be on time". I've only had one flat tire and that was after work.

spartan55 · Answer

It's become more important as I've gotten older. There was a stretch in my twenties when I was a 'late person'. It didn't really register how my tardiness inconsiderate and disrespectful of other people's time. The proverbial light bulb went on one time and I decided I wasn't going to be that guy anymore.

jshm2 · Answer

Few plan for death - despite it being a fact of life.

So I have nothing but contempt for "time Nazis" who haul their staff over hot coals for being a minute late.

I tend to work on the "15 minutes" rule - if you're late by 15 minutes - shit happens, and no explanation needed.

DishLady · Answer

Very. Of course I'm not going to go nuts if someone is 10-15min late. Shit happens. However if there's no text saying "I'm late" or offering a reason... then the person is gonna catch a bit of commentary from me about it.

Abbycado · Answer

Very. I hate being late. I get anxious. So as a result, I don’t like when others are not on time.

Paige90 · Answer

Very important as it tells a lot about a person. My time is as valuable as that person.

MemeSupreme · Answer

just be consistent so i can predict your behavior lol

DryGermanGuy · Answer

It’s somewhat important to me but it really depends on the event. 🤔

BCRanger10 · Answer

It's very important for me, but now having three kids five and under, I've had to be a lot more flexible. At this point, I'm happy if I'm still within 15 minutes.

exitseven · Answer

I hate it when people waste my time. It shows lack of respect.

Iron_Man · Answer

it’s important because you’re putting your time and effort into meeting somebody and you don’t wanna wait around for two hours

TrimmedTip · Answer

Punctuality is huge—it shows respect for my time. Late = lazy or selfish, unless there’s a legit reason.

WonderingManII · Answer

Very important. Most people I know are not punctual, and it's annoying.

lorenzomichael · Answer

It is very important to me. Early or on time is what I usually am. usually.

Ariesman81 · Answer

A very wise man once said..."If you ain't first, you're last"

qwerty2469 · Answer

If you aren't on time, its because you dont care. My care for you is mirrored by how punctual you are. Don't waste my life and I will stay in yours.

ariadneR · Answer

Very. It's a pet peeve of mine when people are late. If they have a genuine excuse as to why they're late then I'm OK with it

blackeagle007 · Answer

Don’t be late. Job, appointment. Always be on time

SolidGround · Answer

Pretty important especially if people depend on me if I DON'T have that agreement with the one person that is late

douride2 · Answer

I always show up on time. I hate being late for anything. It really irks me when people don't show up when the are supposed to.

Alex-Snow · Answer

It is important to me. I have always been very punctual so I guess I think others should be also

Staximus · Answer

That depends on if it really matters or not. I'm almost never late for work.

altaboy · Answer

The company I work for had a meeting about punctuality, but I was late and I missed it.

Quidthonian · Answer

I try to be early. I don't tolerate people being late. It shows disrespect.

queenofcardio · Answer

Very. I am punctual

Voyages6 · Answer

Pretty important especially traveling by plane or subway. Going someone house they expected you to be late especially in my culture.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

Very important

midnightmoon05 · Answer

Very important to be on time.

dustybiker2 · Answer

It shows your character.

Anonymous · Answer

Moderately important.

robocop666 · Answer

very. I am never late

jazzy34 · Answer

Very.

msc545 · Answer

Very important. Tardiness offends me.

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