Punctuality

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With me, I know EXACTLY where i got my punctuality. Back when i was between 11 and 13, my parents were about a four hour drive from each other. They got the idea to send my by interstate bus (also where i got my Spec. Int.). I absolutely cherished the visits home to my mother, i hated my father. Living in the Boston suburbs, it was an hour or so train/subway/T bus ride to the bus station. He loved to torture me by leaving on the last possible train and arriving at the terminal with less than 15 minutes to spare, and still buy a ticket. I never missed the bus, but on several occaisons i was better than 70th in line for a bus that carries 55 people, luckily on a friday night, they have an extra bus on duty, but i didnt know that until they called for "Bangor passengers board first" (bus served portland maine, then bangor, often times they would board bangor first to get us on one bus so that the second one could end in portland).

I digress..
Since then, my philosophy has been "better to be two hours early than two minutes late" I cannot, even if i try, make myself be late for anything. I go to a matinee movie, i still arrive 45 minutes before showtime. For an interstate bus, i make damn sure i am first in line, even if that means arriving ten minutes after the last bus left and sitting there for three hours, my dad taught me a good lesson there.

Glad to know (by the poll) that i am not the only stickler for on time performance.

I'm often late myself so I don't judge others. I'm usually late for anything that happens in the morning because I'm always tired and I always have trouble getting out of bed.

I used to be kind of anxious about being on time, but I've relaxed over the years. I used to think "I'll call you" meant something too . Anyway, my sister in law is notorious for being hours late. For her, it's all about jerking your chain.

For me, how much people being late bothers me depends on how late.

Also, on what it is they are late for.

Certainly in a work situation I think people need to be on time, as far as getting there, and meetings, etc. And it wouldn't be good to show up late for a job interview. But, social situations, 5 minutes, no big deal. Half hour, depends. If I'm sitting around bored waiting for them, or it that makes me late for something (like a concert), it's annoying. But if I've got something to do, not that big an issue.

I'm the same way, but I'm probably late often too (or I always am scared I'll be late). I always rush to class in the hallways because I think I'm scared that 4 minutes is about to pass when it's only been 2 (I have a poor concept of time). And it bugs me when people, but I have relatives that are notorious for 'saying' they will be there in half as hour and show up 45 minutes-1 hour later. And I always fear the worse too. 'They have forgotten about me and don't care', 'they must have got in a car crash', etc. which increases that longer they take to show up. I'll be more worried when someone is 10 minutes late compared to 2 minutes late.

The other thing is I always learned that if you knew you were going to be late (more than 5-10 mins) you call the person to let them know, that way they at least know you'll be a lil late. It's like a courtesy or whatever.