What can be said about a person's character when they are consistently late?

Question

One of my friends gave me some serious attitude when I called to tell him I was going to be 1/2 hour late to a casual dinner at his house. "You're just leaving *now*??" was his response, oozing with attitude. Knowing I might be late, his wife told me earlier to be there at 7:30, with the goal of getting me there at 8:00, so I caught attitude for being late for a false arrival time!! I understand it's really bad and disrespectful to be late for something important like a wedding, but a casual dinner is no reason to get nasty if someone is going to be late, in my opinion. I look forward to whomever's response.

Answer 1

Being consistently late is basically saying, "my time is more important than yours". It shows disrespect, selfishness, and basic rudeness.

Answer 2

I am the 5 minute late guy. Stuff just happens that way. At least you called. Your bud should have been a little more understanding. Everyone just exspects me late. So I get the false arrival times too. But since it was a dinner thing, Food is prepared to be ready at a certain time. He should have invited everyone over at least 1 hour before the dinner was to be served. This way anyone who is late will still show up for a hot meal. And nothing will be ruined or it won't be cold.
Chef Jack

Answer 3

I know this is risking not being chosen as Best Answer, but why would you "catch an attitude" because someone gave you a "false arrival time" just so they can enjoy your company with the rest of the guests who arrive on time?

You should count yourself blessed to have friends who continue to associate themselves with you in spite of your disrespectful tardiness. I can see if they told you at the last minute, and your prior commitment may run into your prep time for the casual dinner.

An invite to a casual dinner by good friends should not be taken lightly. You must consider the host or the hostess who must serve dinner. When you waltz in late, they have to stop eating, to get up and serve you. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, seeing that they're your friends. Looks like going to something as informal as a cookout would get a definite no-show from you.

There are people with good character who may have a real problem with time management. Such people are shown compassion because they demonstrate they are sincerely apologetic, and may have a season of being on time, thus showing an effort to be on time. However, I find it hard for them to get upset when the issue of being on time is brought to the table to be addressed, or to see if they need help with anything.

Usually, in the work force, a person who is consistently late is thought to be dissatisfied with their job, or some issue left unattended. In friendship, being consistenly late can be interpreted as you do not consider the occasion important enough to be on time.

But in your case, what's more important is the fact your friends gave you a false start time so you can be on time. Sounds like they don't want you to miss anything, and then they love you enough to keep inviting you. Your friends love you. Remember, you created the situation, forcing them to give you a false start time.

How deep is YOUR love for your friends who invited you to a casual dinner at their house? To paraphrase your last statement, you don't think your friends' casual dinner was important enough for you to be on time.

Answer 4

Well.. even if it is a casual dinner.. you should be on time. If the dinner is at a restaurant - then no one can order until you get there. It's frustrating for those waiting and for the wait staff too.

If it's dinner at their house - how do they know when to start cooking? They don't know when you are going to get there.

Someone who is CONSTANTLY late gives the impression that the world should move at THEIR pace. It also sends the message "I don't care about your plans. I'll get there when I get there." It means you really just don't care about them. It's very, very rude.

I won't invite people if they can't come on time or within reason. You feel foolish at a restaurant waiting for someone to come. It isn't fair to make others wait because you can't show up when asked.

That's just my $.02

~Maxie

Answer 5

Some people just can't make it any place on time. No big deal - but at a wedding it is. I'm surprised you weren't happy that the wife told you 1/2 hour earlier - a lot of people want that done - so they won't be late. Some people set their clocks fast for that reason too.

Answer 6

Being late without any valid reason is a manifestation of lack of self-discipline. Other people with tight schedules managed to attend that casual dinner only to know that the other person doesn't seem to be interested to meet them & they just ruined their time schedule. They might have been with their other appointments or they might be doing something productive that time, only to be delayed by you. If you have discipline in time management, you will also feel the value of wasting time.

Answer 7

Dont regret. There is nothing wrong wn u r late somtims. There is no link with the character. But when in business or job - better be on time

Answer 8

if its dinner... then think about it... they went to all the trouble so that they could provide you with a hot meal... and you show up even more late than you were supposed to... thats just rude... imagine if you were the one spending all that time in the kitchen...

Answer 9

Lack of punctuality could be a good indicator that this person cannot be counted on for his word.

Answer 10

stuff happens, tell them it was beyond your control.