BY JOANNA DITTMER
Being late has to be my biggest pet peeve. Let’s review the definition of punctuality – to be punctual.
Punctual – happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time; on time.
Most of us understand what punctuality is; we’ve all been taught to be on time, but what I don’t understand is how people can think that showing up three plus hours late is acceptable.
It bugs me to no end that even with modern technology people are still late and don’t give any notice. I mean, it takes a whole 20 seconds to send a text or make a call saying you’re going to be late.
A few years ago, while I was still in high school, my best friend and I were rushing to get ready to go to our first semi with our boyfriends.
We were told they’d come get us at 4 p.m., and then we would go to the one boyfriend’s house for dinner.
At 4 p.m. they weren’t there; we figured it was just traffic and they would arrive soon.
At 4:10 p.m., still no sign, nor at 4:15 p.m. By this time, every car that came down the street got us excited, only to be quickly followed by disappointment.
At 4:30 p.m., I decided to call and find out what was going on. First I tried his cellphone – no answer. So instead I called his home phone which he answered.
When I asked what was going on, he said: “We’re coming for 5; we decided that by coming at 4 we’d be too early to the dance.”
I was unimpressed to say the least. Why were we not informed of this change earlier? If we would have been, then we wouldn’t have had to rush to get ready on time, nor would we have been waiting around for half an hour. I’m someone who prides herself on being punctual, and if for some unforeseen reason I can’t be on time, or early, I at least have the decency to call or text with a reason.
The world would be chaos if everyone acted this way.
Imagine waiting at the doctor’s office because he decided to take a late lunch. Or imagine waiting at the alter because your significant other didn’t get out of bed on time.
It’s common courtesy to inform the other party that you won’t be showing up on time. There is nothing worse than sitting alone in a crowded restaurant reading and re-reading the menu in a poor attempt to make things less awkward. It wouldn’t drive me so insane if people would let me know they were going to be late.
If I had a heads up, then maybe I could get some extra cleaning done around the house, or maybe I could do some homework.
Moral of the story kids – don’t be late, and if you are, at least have the courtesy to inform the other party.
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