I'm Late, I'm Late

FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE

How many times have you heard “I am so sorry I’m late, but…….”? How did this make you feel? Like you were way down the list of priorities? It doesn’t feel very good does it? It’s amazing how many people think that being late is a sign of social awareness. IT IS NOT! Being on time is showing the other person courtesy and respect. It’s telling the other person that you like them and want to be respectful their time as well.

In the business world it is imperative that we be on time. When going for an interview, the person interviewing uses this information as a means to evaluate your reliability. Late, not very reliable. On time, a plus. Arriving 5 minutes early is an A Plus.
GOOD REASONS FOR BEING ON TIME

You show the person you’ve come to see that you appreciate his or her professionalism.

You show respect. Conversely, your being late shows disrespect and is annoying to the busy person you’ve come to see

If you’re late, you may have disrupted that individual’s entire day’s schedule. Even worse, that faux pas is likely to be remembered long after your appointment is over.
You waste valuable time and energy if you must apologize for your tardiness. That’s time you should be using to get your point across.

MEETINGS
Arrive at the meeting on time or a little early. Nobody takes a late-comer seriously. Lateness is an affront to those who troubled to arrived on time. And, no, it doesn’t convey the message that you are very busy, only that you are very disorganized. If the phone rings just as you are ready to leave, let it ring. With voicemail today you can get back in touch with that person in a very short time. Your priority right now is to get to the meeting on time.

SOCIAL SITUATIONS
In the social world, punctuality etiquette changes somewhat. Regional customs vary, the type of occasion and the habits of the host and hostess.

At a dinner party:
Regional customs vary here, from being on time to arriving 15 or even 30 minutes late (and it is considered rude to arrive early – you might surprise the hosts and find them in their bathrobes vacuuming.) I remember when we moved to the South. Having spent many years as a military wife, I learned that 6:00 meant 6:00. Not a minute early and not a minute late. I planned a dinner party that was out of this world. Great food, beautiful centerpiece, and interesting people. I planned on cocktails at 6:00, dinner at 6:45, dessert at 7:30. As the clock struck 6:00 I was ready, waiting for the doorbell to ring. It was 6:35 before anyone came. Now I was in a panic, the dinner was ready and wouldn’t keep well. I couldn’t not offer cocktails. This was the time people would get to know each other. We muddled through, ate a very dry roast beef and I learned a very important lesson. Know the customs of the area. In the South being on time means at least 30 minutes late.

At a Cocktail Party or Large Reception
A delay of 10 to 15 minutes (sometimes 30 minutes or even more) is fine for fluid gatherings where people are invited to come and go. Open houses are set up for people to drop in between specified hours. It does not mean you arrive at the appointed time and leave at the ending time. Spending 20 to 30 minutes is adequate to show your respects. Be sure to find your host immediately and thank the host when you leave.

At a restaurant
Even if your lunch or dinner mate is easygoing, it’s disrespectful to arrive more than five minutes late. Many restaurants won’t seat you unless everyone in the party is present. You could cause your table to be given to someone else. You will then have to wait till another is available. Your dinner mates will not be happy with you.
Doctors, Dentists, Hairstylists, etc.
Don’t expect to keep your appointment if you don’t arrive on time. Call ahead and reschedule if you think you’ll be more than five minutes late. Accommodating your tardiness could mean throwing off the doctor’s or hairdresser’s other appointment for the rest of the day.

A Wedding Ceremony
Arrive at least 10 –15 minutes early. No one came to see you – a guest – walk down the aisle. If you arrive after the bride’s and groom’s mothers have been seated, keep a low profile by using a side aisle and sitting in the back. If you’re so late that you fear you’ll be elbowing the bride as she prepares to make her entrance, wait outside until her procession is in place at the altar. Then sit in the back so as not to disturb the ceremony.

By Betty Pichon - Article City