Clifton Kopp
I have no shortage of pet peeves.
But number one on the list? Well, I’d say it has to be a consistent lack of punctuality in others.
I don’t ask for much out of people–one can even make the argument that I’m a pretty relaxed individual.
But when people are late, my irritation levels tend to soar.
My logic is, that if I can make it on time, then (extreme cases aside) so can everyone else.
So if you’re like me, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I’ll outline the personality traits of people who get frustrated when others are late.
Let’s get to it!
1) Punctuality
Well, this one’s a no-brainer.
Some people just hold the value of punctuality in high regard.
Some people are relaxed and easygoing when it comes to punctuality… but not you though, you prioritize it, respecting schedules and commitments and the inherent order of life.
Lateness for you means a crack in the system, it means that things will not go as smoothly as projected–and you won’t often stand for it.
I don’t blame you.
2) Conscientiousness
Being on time and having consideration for others go hand-in-hand.
This is probably what personally frustrates me the most when people are late: the lack of basic courtesy for those having to painstakingly wait for them.
Conscientiousness means being organized, dependable, and responsible; it means you give a sh*t about others and their level of comfort or discomfort.
Hence, you feel annoyed when tardiness disrupts plans because this points to a lack of consideration, plain and simple.
If we just make a bit more effort, and think of others to a slightly greater degree, being on time should be a walk in the park.
3) Respect for time
As the old saying goes “time is money.”
And it’s true, you don’t become wealthy idly twiddling your thumbs all day, watching the paint dry, waiting for a friend to show up.
People who are perturbed by lateness tend to understand the value of time; they consider it a precious resource, not some abstract scientific concept.
They know that time is finite as much as it is a valuable commodity, so being punctual signifies an innate respect for others.
4) Orderliness
Many people consider order and structure important aspects of life.
Any efficient, functioning business or company tends to rely on order and structure to make things happen.
Lateness represents a faulty cog in the system–one that can potentially disrupt planned routines or schedules.
I come from a family that, collectively, has a distinct lack of regard for being on time.
They’re just too lax and carefree, thinking that the world occasionally will stop for them.
For obvious reasons, this has always bothered me.
Last month, I scored a coveted reservation at an upscale restaurant we had all been excited to try.
Call time was at 7 pm. I was there promptly at 6:30.
The rest of my family started trickling in at 7:30 onwards.
However, by that point, the manager informed us, that due to our lack of punctuality, we had to give up our table for the next reservation of diners.
Lateness doesn’t just mean a lack of order, it means missed opportunities as well.
5) High expectations
If you hold people to the same standard as you do to yourself, then that’s generally a good thing.
But you’re also asking to be let down often, particularly in societies where chronic lateness is an issue.
I’ve been around the world, and certain people from certain countries have vastly different approaches to punctuality than others (I won’t mention any names for the sake of diplomacy.)
You tend to get your hopes up, thinking people will match your arrival time, but the latter doesn’t often materialize–leaving you frustrated, muttering obscenities to yourself.
So sometimes, you just have to manage expectations to avoid disappointment.
Easier said than done though, I get it.
6) Impatience
Some people who are annoyed by lateness are just plain ole’ impatient.
They get easily uncomfortable, impatient, and frustrated when dealing with the prospect of waiting.
Whether it’s five minutes or half an hour, having to idly wait around scrolling through their phone is far from an ideal scenario for them.
Typically, the other person’s reasoning is inconsequential–traffic, having to rush to the vet, getting caught up with work.
None of this fundamentally matters to the person who has impatient tendencies–particularly when the other person’s lateness has been a consistent habit.
7) Attention to detail
Being late can have bigger implications than just being a mild annoyance.
We’re not talking about a simple Sunday coffee date here or a casual brunch.
If you’re the type of person who pays attention to detail, you’ll know that lateness can sometimes have a domino effect.
Last week, I got tickets to a movie premiere. I invited my cousin.
I grew more and more anxious as showtime approached and he was still stuck in rush hour traffic.
I knew that his being late wouldn’t just mean he’d miss the start of the movie, it would mean he’d miss the trailers; he’d miss the opportunity to stand in line to buy popcorn and soda; he’d also encounter avoidable stress.
In other words, if only he’d left a half hour earlier, as I did, none of these things would have been an issue.
Things would run smoothly–and we’d be seated, watching the movie feeling relatively stress-free, popcorn in hand and all.
8) Time management skills
Some people are just inherently skilled at handling their time.
And trust me, it truly is a skill.
Hence, being frustrated by other people’s lateness suggests that you expect the same standard for everyone else.
But because of this idealism, you are often let down.
Final words
Yes, being late is annoying and frustrating, particularly to folks like you and me.
So if you have a person in your life who is often late, try to take it in stride.
Sit them down, and air out your concerns–-namely how their lateness affects you.
If they’re a quality person (and they probably are), they’ll likely make the necessary changes to start showing up on time.
And if they don’t, then nobody will fault you for keeping your distance.
Life is short, after all–you don’t wait to waste it waiting for someone to show up on time.
