h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>>Does lateness annoy you in others? Are you fastidiously early in order not to give offence in case you might be late? <<
Not really, no. I guess it depends what people are late for, and, no, being unpunctual myself, I usually work to a theme of 'we'll meet at 7", I'll get there at quarter past and not expect anyone else until half past. If people are later than quarter to, depending on circumstances, I can get a little upset, but if you schedule in that people WILL be late, it tends to be less of a problem.

>>Would you say you had a 'relaxed' attitude to time?<<
Probably yes. In that I don't wear a watch and am never actually on time for anything - always either late or early. The thing is, if people are going to get insane about it they could at least make sure all their watches showed the same time...

>>What's the latest you've ever been for something? Were you forgiven?<< I think the answer to this one is 'I can't remember' and 'I don't much care'. Ususally, if I've missed more than half of something (a film or play, for example, I send my apologies.

>>Is being punctual a British thing? For instance, do our Mediterranean cousins enjoy a more relaxed attitude to time in general? Are we Brits a bit uptight?<< I don't really know. I mean, with our public transport system, we can't really be THAT punctual as a nation, can we?

>>And what is meant by 'fashionably late' anyway?<< Sexy vampire? Sorry, bad joke. Late enough to make an entrance into a crowded room, late enough not to look desperate or eager to please, and to be utterly confident in your own rudeness

>>Is it a myth that dictators always make the country's trains run on time?<< Probably. Never been to a country with a dictator, although have done a lot of train travel. As far as I'm aware, the adage should be 'don't try travelling on Sundays' rather than anything to do with the persuasion of the government. Most trains in the places I have been seem fairly punctual, provided there are no suicides or breakdowns. Except on Sundays, that is.

I suppose it depends on the situation but...
Keeping people waiting only to demonstrate your power/superiority is counter productive and makes you look an idiot.
Being late without a good reason, (not just an excuse), makes you look an idiot.
If you are fashionably late you are an idiot.

At the doctors 10.00am = 0950.
At work 10.00am = 1000.
Socially 10.00am = 1000 to 1010.

Good answers! And I think...

>>>
At the doctors 10.00am = 0950.
At work 10.00am = 1000.
Socially 10.00am = 1000 to 1010.

... is a good rule of thumb. I'll try and work a bit harder on the middle one though.

>>And what is meant by 'fashionably late' anyway?<< Sexy vampire? Sorry, bad joke.

I disagree. I think it's an excellent joke.

TRiG.

Thank you, TRiG.

Oh, I wasn't condoning it, I was just saying what I understand by fashionably late. Although, that said, people who breeze in half an hour late seldom look idiots, inconsiderate, perhaps, but not idiots.

Sorry, they are idiots.
They can't tell the time? They are disorganised? Lost? Inconsiderate? Overly self-important?
None of these are good features in sentient beings.

Not good features perhaps, but not stupid ones. If they do it properly, I never tend to mind. I always feel a kind of pity for the people who get upset by it. Of course, sometimes fashionably late is unforgivable. At weddings and funerals it tends not to go down well.