6

Time Wasted and Wasting People

Yesterday a friend wanted me to drive him to town for some errands. He wanted me to pick him up at 4.00 pm, and graciously I said OK.


And then at almost 4.00 pm, he texted me and said if I can come much later, say 4.20 pm because he had to meet some people who owed him money. And again I said, OK.


Came 4.20 and I was already at the designated spot, he texted me again to wait until he arrived because the people who promised to meet him didn't show up yet.


This time I didn't say OK, and you can say I was royally pissed.


I hate waiting for people. Because all my life, very few people waited for me.
WHY?
Because I am ALWAYS on time.
Classy people are rarely late, and as I literally have CLASS(es) (as a teacher), I am not known to be late. That's why I secretly look down upon tardiness, no matter who you are. That hundred ringgit worth of watch on your wrist is not only a fashion statement, it also tells time.

Once a long long time ago, a dear friend made me appreciate my very own personal time. He had me waiting for him 5 hours, while he was sleeping away the afternoon, and I only knew about this when his mother picked up the phone and told me his son had just woke up, and was still lazing around the house, when he called me much earlier saying he was already halfway to see me.

It really broke my heart.... (and this guy never see me again)

After that, I made it a personal agenda to tell my friends and (fewer) new friends how I HATE waiting. You make me wait, better have a very valid reason WITH proof. And I lost some friends this way.... but hell, its much better this way. You don't respect me, and I don't have to keep you as a friend.

p.s. - I was not angry with my earlier friend as he KNOWS my wrath is akin to Smaug, the Dragon. I told him to waste his friends, saying if they owed money from you, you have actual power over them, not the other way around. (Lessons over money lending soon....)


6 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Everyone can be late occasionally but habitual tardiness is a sign of disrespect, I agree. If I'm supposed to meet someone at a certain time and they don't show up on time, I wait 15 minutes and if they're still not there, I leave. My time is worth something too.

Unknown said...

Other from that sad 5 hours event, I did wait for all of them to show up. The 15 mins no show rule was only applicable during my university years, when the lecturer was late to class :)

Rock Chef said...

I hate being late, but I am generally forgiving of those who are themselves late.

Having said that, I would have been seriously pissed about the guy who was asleep...

Martha said...

I can't stand this either! Once in awhile when something comes up and we can't help it, being a little late is fine. But being habitually late is rude. This really bothers me. The message being sent is that no one else's time is valuable but your own.

Unknown said...

My students RUN to my lab because they know i am unforgiving. At least they learn not to waste my time :)

Unknown said...

I know you are the forgiving type of guy :)
I just say huh-uh.

Post a Comment

Back to Top