Time
I could sum up this blog with one sentence: Whether you think so or not, my time is valuable.
Growing up we were always that family that arrived late. I have countless friends who stroll in long after the agreed-upon arrival time and seem confused by my impatience and disdain. Perhaps it was the repeated chants of “on-time is late” (and subsequent push-ups and lap-running for being late) at band practice, or the sense of shame I felt when i arrived to functions late, but it’s not something that I have ever been comfortable with.
The fact of the matter is, being late is rude, and it basically sends a message that “you’re not important enough for me to keep my agreement to meet with you at a designated time. Now I understand that things happen. But really, we ALL understand that things happen, so those things should be taken into account. Like “i ran into traffic”… really? traffic at 8:30am on a weekday? I’m not shocked there’s traffic, so why didn’t you leave in enough time to factor in traffic? The only thing worse than the generic “oh i was held up because of XYZ” is the person who offers no explanation, but waltzes in and acts as if there’s nothing wrong.
I won’t sit here and say i’m always on time. But i typically text/call when I’m running late to give a heads up and acknowledge the value of the other person’s time. I think that maybe i should just stop waiting on people. I came up with this as i waited an hour and 15 minutes to be seen for my doctor’s appointment. maybe i need to institute my own grace period and let ppl know… if you’re not there within my grace period you will need to reschedule. Too many people are taking one another’s time for granted and it’s time for folks to start taking a stand.
Gangsta Mittens 
I know how you feel. I had a friend who routinely left her house at the time she was DUE wherever she was going.
8thlight - February 3, 2011 at 9:32 am