Is it unreasonable to expect someone to turn up on time?

burnoutbabe

If i had to wait at home i'd be less annoyed than having to wait somewhere in public (ie they pick you up at a train station?)

Also, if you were going somewhere where its a fixed start time (ie work or a regular commitment like an evening class), I'd be more put out than something you can start at any time (like a gym session)

But then if they are also going to work/evening class, surely they'd be in trouble for always being late?

But yes, people being late all the time would annoy me. Especially if it got me into trouble by them being late.

missbiggles1

LilElvis wrote: »

It's possible your friends feel the same way about your tardiness, but haven't reach the point yet where they want to lose your friendship over it.

My friends and I have better things to do than worry about a few minutes here and there and we aren't so anal about time as many people here seem to be.

(They also have good comprehension skills and would have noted that I never said whether or not I personally am late.;)

DUTR

iammumtoone wrote: »

Then you should think yourself lucky you have a friend that is kind enough to help you out by giving you a lift.

I appreciate it must be annoying that you get ready on time but just make sure you have something planned to do in the time you are ready until he arrives, so you are thinking about something else rather than clock watching and getting mad at how late he is.

The other option is to pay for a taxi but taxis are notorious for being late as well.

Having read the thread and noticing there is no direct answer to why the lift is required, I suspect the person giving the lift does not really want to obligate and is hoping the recipient will seek transport elsewhere.

The old saying the only person you should rely on, is yourself . Rings true here, going to a show concert, getting a train plane or starting a shift etc is where time matters.

I had a GF that was particular about time, to the point I had to ask her if she sat outside the house as if she said she was turning up at 8pm, right on the dot she would turn up at the exact time.

I arrive late sometimes where it is no big deal. However I do have a couple of friends that if we were going out and set a time to pick them up, it was only once we arrived they would start to get ready, after a couple of occasions of just setting off without them, we now just make our own way and time to a meeting point.

Pollycat

missbiggles1 wrote: »

The OP doesn't work, it's the friend who gives her a lift who does.

If the OP doesn't rely on this tardy friend to get to work on time, does she have to get to some sort of appointment on time?

If not, as long as I'm not waiting out in the cold for the lift to arrive, I'd just be grateful of a lift of any kind - especially given the apparent lack of other alternatives.

From what has been posted by the OP so far, it sounds like she's looking a gift horse in the mouth.
And if she's not careful, it could end up biting her in the bum. :rotfl:

notanewuser

My guess is its running club.

Georgiegirl256

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Rather a lot of theys in that sentence, who do you mean?

No one in particular. I was meaning any person who is continually late. Why is their time more important than say mine or the person they are picking up/meeting?

FBaby

My friends and I have better things to do than worry about a few minutes here and there and we aren't so anal about time as many people here seem to be.

Then clearly you and your friends have time to waste. I don't and at times, it really is a case of every minute counts. Despite a manic schedule, I manage to be on time 9 times out of 10 (and when I'm not, I informed people in advance and apologise profusely).

It really gets to me when I'm rushing around, do someone a favour, and they are late thinking nothing of it because they have the luxury to have plenty of times to do things when I don't.

Bella73

missbiggles1 wrote: »

My friends and I have better things to do than worry about a few minutes here and there and we aren't so anal about time as many people here seem to be.

(They also have good comprehension skills and would have noted that I never said whether or not I personally am late.;)

I have to disagree with you on this, having the manners to be on time for pre-arranged appointments is not being anal as you put it but polite and correct.


I play in a concert band so being on time is very important, however, the same people are late EVERY single time...you obviously wouldn't worry about this, however, when you are sitting on stage waiting to play and the late people barge in to be honest it gets on my wick and it delays everything for everyone else so yes I think being consistently late is rude and ignorant and shows you only give a toss about yourself.


The odd occasion I have no problem with but constant lateness is rude and if that makes me anal then so be it, I would rather be like that than an ignorant git that everyone slags off behind my back.

Dozey_crow

I see lateness as becoming more and more the'norm' now and it's quite worrying. For example:

1) students frequently turning up late for lectures by 20\25 mins (lecture is 50mins), barging in wandering around trying to find a seat with their mates etc. When challenged come back with 'I'm paying fees have a right to be late if I want' type answer at the ready. Not a great deal uni can/will do about it even though it disrupts everything and everyone else
2) graduates at work almost all are late in the morning citing a 'reasonable' excuse 'transport delays,can't park, couldn't get up etc etc' as someone has mentioned obvious answer is leave earlier again it is unfair to others who do leave early and get to work promptly
3) now I find that business meetings are late with people not there on time or not ready on time. People may arrive 20 mins late and nothing is said. It is almost anticipated and in d some circumstances it can't be helped but in others it can.
4) also meeting friends at a set time I am always on time but then find myself alone for 20\30 mins waiting.. Must admit now I go half an hour later or don't go at all as it's so annoying

It is good manners to be on time.. My friends picks me up each morning to drive to work and I am always ready and pick up my things and close the door as she pulls onto the drive. I wouldn't dream of keeping her waiting.

I havenoticed it getting worse over the last five years or so. Yes lateness with no valid reason is annoying to people who are time limited and try to get the most out of their day. For example at work I often have to travel between meetings on different sites so if one person is late then it throws me out. I do factor in some leeway for this and travel BTW but at the end of the day I have to try and be efficient. Often I then have to spend a few appointments apologizing for MY own lateness because the meeting before was late .. Oh the irony!!!

missbiggles1

FBaby wrote: »

Then clearly you and your friends have time to waste. I don't and at times, it really is a case of every minute counts. Despite a manic schedule, I manage to be on time 9 times out of 10 (and when I'm not, I informed people in advance and apologise profusely).

It really gets to me when I'm rushing around, do someone a favour, and they are late thinking nothing of it because they have the luxury to have plenty of times to do things when I don't.

Hopefully, when you're older, time will be less rushed.

I don't know anybody who would treat a social arrangement this specifically, everybody I know arranges things on the basis of "see you around midday" rather than expecting anybody to be there on the dot. Our working lives are or were ruled by the clock so we don't want to carry this over into our social lives.