“I’ll get there when I get there,” people utter. Students protest, “I was only five, fifteen, thirty minutes late.” “Yes, your car should have been ready by 1:00 pm, but we’re backed up, so it’ll be more like 5:00 pm,” is what I was told just yesterday after waiting since 11:00 am with my baby girl whose patience was wearing thin (not to mention my patience). Some people must truly live by the phrase “Better late than never,” but I, in most cases, absolutely deplore it.
Of course, we may all run late once in a while, but more and more people, at least in the tri-state area of Philadelphia, PA, have no regard for people’s time and see being habitually late as just a part of life. Admittedly, I am one of those type A personalities who tends to show up early to events to ensure that I am not late, so this could attribute to my lack of tolerance for lateness. But it is also because I value and respect people’s time. I wish there was a way for people who have no problem with regularly being late to see how their actions negatively impact others.
Let’s consider if that cliche phrase “Better late than never” is always applicable. Being late involves more than just annoying or inconveniencing the other person who is patiently waiting. Before you blow off being late and view it as no big deal, think about the domino effect it will have on those directly and indirectly involved.
All the best,
Tanya
PS. One of my biggest pet peeves is lateness, and this week, I’ve had quite a few issues with people being late and needed to vent a little. Thanks for reading.
Journey of Anonomz 
I have to admit that when I was younger, I was always late to everything, and I didn’t have a care in the world about it. I don’t know why I was so thoughtless. Part of it comes from having a poor concept of time, believing that I can get A, B, and C done before I leave for an event or meeting, when really, I can barely accomplish A.
These days, I try hard to be on time, but I do find it difficult with Jude. Getting him out the door is nearly impossible without begging, pleading, dragging, and various other desperate measures. And those are just the times that he is “willing” to leave the house! I do not want to use him as an excuse. After all, shouldn’t I plan to leave an hour earlier?
Sigh.