I Hate Late People

I don’t like when my time is not considered at all. If you and I are to meet up and you are going to be late, it is courteous to update me and let me know you will be late. We are all adults, and all my time is valuable. I could use the extra 30 minutes to be productive, instead of sitting around waiting for someone who doesn’t have respect for me. Don’t get me wrong, I have been late before, but I always update whoever is waiting. It’s one of the quickest ways to let me know you haven’t grown up or just have no regard for anybody else. I will literally stop inviting you places. There is a place and time to be late! I dread the times other people have made me extremely late; because they were my ride or someone I had to rely on. Having to apologize to the waiting party with no explanation is annoying because you don’t want to make excuses.

Nigerian culture permits ridiculous lateness. One hour, two hours, or maybe even three hours is fine, but five hours plus is insulting. I find we can't even separate our late culture when interacting with other people. I see it leave a sour taste in other people's mouths sometimes. I see it in business. A lot of opportunities are lost when you do not have time discipline. African time should be used when appreciate. Let’s do better, please.

 Mary