Late People Arrive Good Idea Friends Eslpod Time

In the United States, "punctuality," or not being late, is very important. People are expected to be "punctual" and arrive "on time," or when things are scheduled.

In the world of business, if you have a meeting or an interview, it is a good idea to get there a few minutes early. If you are late, it is very rude or impolite. Many people view "tardiness," or being late, as a sign that one does not take his or her work seriously, or as a sign that one is lazy. If you are going to arrive late to a business meeting, perhaps because you are "stuck in traffic" (driving slowly because there are too many other cars on the road), it is a good idea to call to let the other people know that you will be late, the reasons why, and an "estimate," or guess, of when you will arrive.

For social events, being punctual is not as important as in the world of business, but it is still important. When friends agree to meet each other somewhere at a certain time, they try "to show up" (arrive) exactly at that time. The friends will usually wait for each other for 10 or 15 minutes, but probably not any longer than that. After that, friends will feel like they have been "stood up" (made to wait for someone who does not plan to arrive).

Sometimes people like to arrive "fashionably late" at a party. They might come 30 or even 60 minutes late "to make a grand entrance" so that everyone notices them when they enter the building. But in almost all other "circumstances," or situations, it is a good idea to arrive at events on time.