Should I keep being on time for everything?
By meddyping
@meddyping (15)
Thailand
February 22, 2011 4:05am CST
Recent year I have been at several meetings and events in the University and I was always be the first to show up. If the event suppose to start at 9 am, I'd be there at 8.45 or before. And you guess what happened...
At 9 o'clock, nobody showed up except me and I have to wait til 9.30 for 2/5 of people showing up and the event ended up started at 10. I discussed this issue with my friends since this happen all the time and the answer I get is " Well, other people will be late, why wont we be too!" What kind of answer is that? (I asked myself quietly)
It's been 3 years and now i'm so tired of waiting 1-1.30 hour for people to show up.
My question is should I kept being on time like this or be late with them since it looks like this is the way of doing things around here, lazy way.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@SViswan (12051)
• India
22 Feb 11
I'm the same as you. It's happened so many times that I now don't try to get anywhere early. On time is fine enough....then my wait is shorter than if I am early. But I invariably end up getting there earlier than I intended because I always keep a buffer for traffic. My father has the same experience in Africa where he works and it makes him very angry.
But I guess both of us have got used to it. And no amount of telling anyone seems to work. I try not to be late...but if it's due to my husband, I don't fuss anymore.
@meddyping (15)
• Thailand
22 Feb 11
hmm..so this is epidemic problem.. everyone loves to be late.
Ok now, another question. Do you think what we're doing is right and we must not becoming like everyone else and be late? I personally think our personality is good and shouldn't change it and we should keep being on time and just let go of the anger when people show up late. Well, it's hard but since we can't control anyone so I think we should look on the bright side of it.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
22 Feb 11
Oh yes, we have a good quality and need not change at all. I've long ago learnt to let go of the anger. In fact I expect them to be late...but I'm happy to be there on time or early. Even at my son's school, all the functions would start late. That was tough especially for parents like me who had other kids who are younger and would get cranky during the wait. One year, they had an ex-army person as the Principal. I was expecting my second child and it was my older son's kindergarten graduation. Only 3 parents had been seated at the time mentioned on the invite. The Principal started the function without waiting for the rest who were used to the earlier delayed starting. It was a sight to see them gaping when they walked in late and realized that the function had already started. Some of them even missed their own child's part. The Principal later announced that it would be rude to keep the parents waiting...who had made it on time....and one isn't rude to people who follow rules.
@hlgmdt (300)
• Philippines
22 Feb 11
I know how you feel. It has happened to me a lot of times, and I really get pissed off. I consider time as very precious and I don't want it to be wasted, but there are some people (actually a lot in my culture) who do not practice punctuality. They don't show up at the time we agreed upon. I've been wanting to rant about this actually in other social networking sites. It has become a habit for people because we tolerate it. Others think that the others will come late, and so they do, too. What a gross thinking! My friend and I were talking about this and we jokingly concluded that we should lie about the start of the event. For instance, if the event starts at 9:00, we would tell the others that they should be present at 8:00 or 8:30. I still have to try if this works, though. LOL!
@meddyping (15)
• Thailand
22 Feb 11
LOL, my friends use this strategy too! at first it works but after a while people know that you might appoint them 1 hour early and guess what? they ended up 1 hour later always! I think because they assume that we will always appoint before time.
@meddyping (15)
• Thailand
22 Feb 11
Hey' I agree with you. Why can't everyone can't see the point that if you're late you disrespect the people who's in charge of the event. Well, maybe I guess it's becoming a culture ( yeah culture =what people do for a long long time in the community, isn't always right, just passed along the generation).
Hope I can lead the good trend here^^
@maezee (41988)
• United States
22 Feb 11
I say keep being on time. You're making eveyrone else look bad, and there's something satisfying about that (if you ask me). Yeah, you have to sit around and wait, but the fact that you're prompt means that you're responsible and motivated and you shouldn't lower down to everyone else's levels just becuase they are lazy and late all the time. Maybe if a few more peopole started showing up earlier, like when you got there, it would become a 'trend' and everyone would start doing it..Just a thought. lol
@meddyping (15)
• Thailand
22 Feb 11
lol I hope that trend becomes reality soon ^^.
I like it when you said there's something satisfying...yeah hate to admit it but I sometimes feel superior ^^.
I agree with you and now i will keep being the No.1 again and forever! lol
@cloudi (330)
•
22 Feb 11
I would say that you should continue the way you have been. If you are a punctual person then you shouldn't let the attitude of other people change that. Just because other people are late does not mean that you should be as well. There may always come a time when you are late and everyone else is early or on time and then you are the bad guy.
@meddyping (15)
• Thailand
22 Feb 11
Yes, I think so too. The last part you said that if I will ever be late then I will be the bad guy. I'm so agree with this!
I was late once for basketball practice and when i got to the court I was scolded by my teammate (who just showed up for the first time) I was so pissed.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
22 Feb 11
You are 100% right to be on time; please don't change. I am a person who has been late many times, and I am not proud of it. To be on time is honourable, and it shows respect. These are things that make life bearable: if we honour our appointments, and our promises. The person who is always on time is a person of character, of integrity. I admire you for being on time. It makes me think: I must always be on time too; and I must honour appointment times, always.
@housechaos7 (609)
•
23 Feb 11
I think its a great trait to be punctual as you are in control,and being positive about your life
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
23 Feb 11
Being on time shows that you take a caring effort. it shows that you are someone to be depended on. There's nothing wrong with that. @EstiiBabii (685)
• United States
23 Feb 11
You should keep being on time because it shows a lot about your personality that you're punctual and don't like to waste time. Besides doesn't it feel better that you don't have to worry about being late. I know if I have a meeting to go to and I know I'm about to late I'm running to the bus stop and getting all agitated because I know I'm going to be late.
Trust me being early will eventually pay out because when you have a job you'll already be use to the fact of being punctual and on time. So keep on being early.
@qiancaocan (29)
• China
23 Feb 11
I think being punctual is a good habit.and this is your own personality,you have no need to change it for other people.The last one should be shamed for his being late.Just be yourself.Tomorrow is a good day.
