Why I Admire Punctuality and Detest Tardiness

Punctuality is one of the most admired characteristics I have of a person. It exhibits a persons honored qualities: reverence, accountability, and civility. I have low tolerance for those who are late. I feel unimportant and shuffled to the side when I am awaiting a person’s overdue arrival. Tardiness is one of the most annoying characteristics I have of a person. One of the most annoying situations in which a person could be late in is when you arrange to meet them somewhere. An example of this is when I attempted to go out with Greg. Ten minutes after the time we agreed to meet only one question pervaded my mind, where was he? The movie was going to start in five minutes. I wondered if he was even coming, but he was the one who arranged the time and place. What if I went to the wrong movie theater, no I was sure he had said Route Six. I started to get annoyed; the movie had begun. Where was he? Questions and worries filtrated throughout my mind. Should I go inside the theater? Maybe he got there really early and he went inside. No, he would have come out and looked for me, right? Well maybe I decided, I would buy my ticket and go inside and look anyway. But, what if he wasn't inside, should I buy him a ticket as well just in case they became sold out. I was really annoyed then; the previews were almost over. I hoped he was all right. Maybe something horrible had happened. Maybe he had gotten into a car accident or was sick. I’ll wait a few more minutes I thought, just until I finish my soda. Where was he?! Hi, sorry I’m late. I guess I just lost track of time. What? I thought to myself, I just waited for this guy for twenty - six minutes because, he guesses he just lost track of the time. We missed the movie and a potentially good time because this guy couldn't even bother to watch the clock. He apologized, said we should try it again, had really like to. I said no thanks Greg, you just hit a nerve, and lateness is something I find extremely annoying. Just as annoying is when a coworker is late, especially if it's repeatedly.

Brandy and I never work directly together, she always has the shift after mine. She is always late. It's so frustrating to look at the clock and think "my shift ends in ten minutes", all the while knowing that I won't be leaving for at least twenty because that's when Brandy will finally stroll in. It becomes extremely aggravating when I know I have things to do after work. I begin to count the minutes between when I leave and when my next obligation starts. I talked to her once about her tardiness, but it was quickly made apparent that any effort I made would be fruitless. I told her I would appreciate it if she could come in on time, she stared back blankly and said I'm only a few minutes late you don't mind it that much, do you? I responded that I did mind, that I have other things I would like to do with my time, that it really annoyed me that she was always late. She said that she totally could understand, that was why she was always late, she had other things to do before work. The statement somewhat confused me on whether or nor she would try to be prompt. My confusion was quickly clarified when she came in the next day twenty-two minutes late. I asked her why she was yet again late. Completely dumbfounded with my question she answered me, but I thought I told you yesterday I had things I had to do before work." I decided not to press the issue any further, because I realized then that this girl was in her own world completely unaware of the torture she was putting me through.