Is it ok to be late?

Being late is either an unacceptable behavior or a sign of a relaxed life depending on who you are in your culture. Should we be sorry for being late? Vote!

Created by Aurelien Leblay

On netivist we like to analize people's habits and behaviors. For instance, we are discussing if it's ok to sell unwanted gift, if it's silly to text while walking and if gallantry just sexism. Here we debate our relationship with time, how important is for us when people arrive late.

Punctuality is a real cultural matter, as some cultures do favor strict punctuality, and others are more flexible with the use of time. Those differences may lead to real misunderstandings between people and sometimes to even tensions and serious problems.

Sorry for being late

People that are often late to their meetings would claim this is just a sign a relaxed way of dealing with life and its contingencies. It means less stress and a greater capacity to enjoy life, without being too constrained by time and schedule frames. In some cultures lateness is almost a convention, and people take into account that most people will arrive with some delay to their meetings. Advocates of lateness argue that it is even salutary for the human soul, and that it prevents to view time in its sole material utility, especially in a constantly rushing society. Is a flexible attitude to time a way to reconnect humans with their real nature?

On the contrary, being on time is perceived as a way of achieving things with efficiency and reliability. Being on time seems a requirement to a well-functioning society. It is also a sign of respect to others, people don't like to wait or make others wait for them. Being punctual is a real matter of social utility and one could claim that being rigorous to maximize utility. Punctuality could be perceived as a common social good, a convention in social groups willing to respect each other and to contribute to harmony and fluidity in their relationships.

What is the most convincing view to you: being strict on time for social mindfulness, or being consciously stress-free on time issues for peaceful connections between people?

And from your point of view? Should we be always flexible with timing? It this just a sign of cultural differences or a way in which people take advantage of others? Is it acceptable to be late? Vote and debate!

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