Punctuality: A Butterfly Effect

[previous posts]
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2008/06/wedding-dinners.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2007/10/miffys-wedding.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2007/04/debuggers-wedding.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2007/04/debuggers-wedding.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/03/xueyis-wedding.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/02/layers_114036809809139076.html

Okay, while this looks like it's targetted at punctuality for wedding dinners, it is not. I'm talking about punctuality in general.
This post is not triggered by any recent events; just a cumulation of what I felt over the years.

Now it's a tired old tale and we all know the reasons.
"Everyone is going to be late so why go so early?"
"Rush so early for what? Look! Everyone is still late!"

Are you considered late if you arrive before others? Does arriving before others mean you have not delayed others?

1. In coming late, you add on to the pool of people that the group have to wait for. If the number of people who are late are small, the group might decide to proceed with their plans.
2. In coming half-way late, you express the opinion that your time is more important than others'. You do not wish to wait "that much". You hope to arrive precisely at the decision point where the majority decides that they could carry on.
3. In combating such behaviour, the group decides to meet earlier the next time. You, in all your cleverness realises this and accepts that coming late by half an hour is an acceptable social limit. Your friends are all willing to wait for you because they are used to it.
4. Friends who are embittered might decide that they do not have to rush down to arrive on the dot. Those who had took a cab to arrive on time might be doubly bitter.
   

Your punctuality reflects your attitude towards that social occasion. To me, being late means you are not keen and have no respect for the organiser and everyone's time. Sure, delays are accidental but if we change our mindset. For those who turn up on time, please keep it up.
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