It’s rude to keep people waiting

I am utterly incapable of accommodating chronic lateness because, no, you are not ‘running late;’ you are just a rude and selfish jerk.

Nowadays, it seems like if you’ve set up a meeting with someone at 10am, it is generally acceptable for that person to casually stroll in the general vicinity of any time, which starts with the numeral ‘10’, like 10:15 or 10:45.

Then the said person will proceed to greet you with hugs and smiles like everything is just peachy. If you raise an issue about the lateness, you will be considered a fussy perfectionist who needs to relax.

Heck no, I don’t! Chronic tardiness is one of my biggest pet peeves. I have a 10-minute waiting policy. If the person I’m meeting doesn’t show up in 10 minutes, and doesn’t give me a call or send a message, I’ll leave. If you can’t manage punctuality, we can’t be friends. Simple. I am extremely punctual.

I can count on one hand the number of times I have been late in my entire life. I am fascinated by those people who never manage to leave the house until after the time they’re supposed to have arrived at their destination. These are the same people who will text you, “Almost there” when they are just coming out of the shower! And by the way, texting that you’re running late doesn’t mean you are no longer late and I shouldn’t be mad.

They never seem to be on time. They are routinely late and will never even attempt to apologise. To them, it is normal. It is their personality. It is just who they are. They lead ‘busy’ lives. Rubbish! Showing up late for no apparent reason sends out the message that your time is more valuable than mine, that you are more important than me, and that you are doing me a favour by showing up at all.

You are completely oblivious of the fact that I got to the meeting point at the agreed time and I have been waiting for you, doing nothing. It is infuriating to say the least. What happened to basic good manners and respect for people? You get to take your sweet time while I, your punctual respectful friend, waste my time.

Are these selfish brats completely indifferent to the effects of making others wait for them? How can someone be so caught up in their own needs and preferences that they fail to take the perspective of others? If you are in the habit of making an entrance with the words “sorry, I am late,” you place a higher premium on your time than anyone else’s and that is a glaring character flaw.

Lateness betrays a lack of respect and consideration for others. We all lead busy lives, but some of us respect other people’s times and that is why we always strive to arrive on time. Stop annoying the people around you by being a habitual late comer!

@roxannekenya