Note: Title courtesy J.K.Rowling
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a stickler for punctuality. Indeed, pompous as it may sound, I’ve NEVER been late to anything if it was left just to me. Sure, leave it to my friends like VR, and we’ve gotten a one hour window. Sorry VR. But I’ve honestly had more disagreements with most people because I’ve been on time and they haven’t than otherwise. Funnily, though I’ve learned to adjust my expectations of people based on previous statistics, it still doesn’t stop me from keeping time to any place. Take VR again… I know that she’ll be anywhere from 15-45 minutes late to the appointed hour. And I’ll still be there at the hour hoping against hope that she proves herself wrong and shocks me. It’s yet to happen and being continents apart doesn’t help her case. Lol.
As with anything, most people expect from others what they do themselves. Just like a straightforward person would expect frankness from the other person too, a punctual person expects punctuality from the other person. And if you’re anything like me, it irritates the wits out of me if people don’t value my time. And of course they needn’t know that I wouldn’t have anything better to do than the pre-discussed activity. Even still… the least I expect is a phone call giving me a window of anticipation time. Many of my friends find this amusing and in my time at UC, I’ve been asked “What’s the big deal?” a few million times to my snappy retorts to a late-comer. But old habits die hard. Here S and his gang have a habit of sounding eons ahead than they really are. For instance, one would say that they were at the destination train station while in reality they were at their own doorstep locking up. While it took time to adjust, I find it amusing all the same because everyone knows the other isn’t exactly being realistic. And it seems to work for them.
Where time really matters is in a professional environment, I suppose. When you have deadlines to meet, tasks to complete, every minute that you procrastinate or promise to deliver has an impact on the final schedule. Which is why I think it’s just practice that makes perfect and hence keeping time with even your friends can help in doing it where it really matters, right? Some food for thought?
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15 comments:
As someone chastized for being late every once in a while with a girlfriend who can be used in Switzerland instead of those watches, I feel I am under the radar all the time. And no matter how soon I come, she's there before me. You sound like her a bit and your VR is like me. You people are way too hard to please. On a different note, I think it's important to respect other ppl's time in a professional environment for sure, but can't friends be cut some slack? Some food for thought on the other side of the fence. :D
Gandalf -> You're funny. And are you sure yr gf doesn't read my blog? You might just get into trouble. :) On a serious note, like I said, I've learned to adjust my expectations according to whom I am dealing with... and with us bing the "wait-ers", I can't feel pity for anyone else, sorry. But yes, I have cut friends some slack... so this food has been well digested. Thanks for the comment and needless to say, keep visiting. And ask Ms Gandalf to pay a visit as well. :)
I agree that time is very important. as a punctul person myself also i find it boring whne someone doesnt come on time. Very nic epost and very true.
- B
Very proper observation Jaya. You are correct in getting bugged with the no-showers. But sometimes they might have a valid reason and you need to maybe analyze that before getting irritated, right? But overall I guess I understand what you are saying. Our time is valuable to us. Thanks for the insightfum post again.
B -> Thanks for the comment n please keep visiting.
Radhika -> Thanks to you too. Of course I understand that there maybe genuine complications enroute... but I guess here I was focussing on the fashionably late category. :) And in conclusion, "time is galleons!"
totally agree on that jaya.....but rather than being ON time i prefer being early. Its just that i just dont want to be late in case of unforeseen troubles like traffic.
It had resulted in me being 1/2 hr early at times!
i too dont expect others to be punctual, but have found ways to keep myself occupied till they show up.
Aravind -> Its nice of u not to expect the others to be punctual. I ruin my early time by continuously looking at my watch and getting pissed by the minute. Lol. Incidentally, HOW do you keep yrself occupied? And how do u not care? Wud love some pointers.
guilty as charged by J..But I have improved now in that I atleast call and set reasonable expectations (Thanks to R..). So J if u were here u wud be less unhappy with me (but I think u have already given up any hopes on me).. Its not that I am ever late to a professional meeting..but somehow I lose track of time on others..
I totally agree with you Jay and I have been at the receiving end almost all the time like you :).. It also irks me when someone doesn't show up on time and don't feel sorry about it....Truly can feel it :)
Vids -> Glad you've improved. Have to see it to believe it though.
Sang -> Non-repentance is almost a crime!! Should NOT be easily forgiven. Lol.
I guess I never realized this, but I don't think I remember you being late to anything!
I have had my ups and downs on punctuality for various reasons, but yes, I have yet to see you late, except due to RATP breakdowns near St-Michel Notre Dame, but again, you are not to blame for unexpected train delays ;)
That too, its the only one I remember in all these years ;)
Bala -> Thanks for the validation. Indeed, I have never been late if I can help it. And yes, u r right.... RATP can lead to meantime failures... but they are unaccounted for, right?
I do get irked at times when they dont show up even on time, but cant help much, can u? I can only do the Gandhian way of setting an example :)
How I keep myself occupied? thats when people close to me get calls at most unexpected of times :) Also, i always keep a book in my car!
Great post and I couldn't agree with you more! And I hate it when people show up late and try to act funny by saying "IST dude". Cant stand it. I think it goes back to the attitude we have towards people or a set of people.
:d:
Aravind -> I agree... in the US the minutes usage saw maximum daylight at that time. Lol.
Deepanddeep -> Thanks for agreeing n commenting. Keep visiting!
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