Yesterday, we enjoyed the annual preschool Zoo Field Trip day with Big Sis' class. I was a little worried that traffic would be bad since I was supposed to be at the Zoo by 9:15 sharp! We left early to make sure...but...lucky me, the traffic was just fine and we were early. (Remember this for later...the traffic was not bad, meaning that it could not be anybody's excuse).
Since we have a Zoo pass, we had to go through the main gate and then wait on the other side of the group entrance for our preschool class to come in.
Apparently, some people did not receive the memo that says, 9:15 means 9:15. They must have thought 9:15 really means 9:45 because that was about the length of time I stood with my two kids waiting at the group entrance for 'our group.' Here's the thing...there's really not that much that is of interest to the kids at the group entrance. So, you stand there for a half hour just standing and thinking that you should have just given the teacher your cell number and said, "Call me when you come in" (yes...I have now learned my lesson). I could have taken the kids over to the petting zoo! As it was, by the time the class came in, Big Sis was sitting on the ground ready to cry and saying, "I guess they're not coming," While Baby Boy got ansy and frustrated because he was sitting in the stroller with nothing to do but eat snacks.
Honestly, it all turned out alright, but...come on, people! Where has the common courtesy of punctuality gone???
So...I admit it...I like to be on time. I also like for other people to be on time. Am I alone in this?
Caveat: I do not expect perfection here. I know that most people are trying their best and I salute everybody for their efforts in all things, not just punctuality. And...no...I am not perfect in this...when you have kids...there are just times you are going to be late...I know it is unavoidable and inevitable. But, I seriously like being on time...In fact...when I am late for something I get nervous, sweaty and a little sick to my stomach. Are you feeling bad for my husband or what!?
Another note: (Monday April 14th) - So...I'm feeling bad. I hope you all don't think I'm a total crazy person when it comes to this being on time stuff. Yes...I do like to be on time and I would like it if other people are on time, but I also know that life happens...sometimes being on time just doesn't work. I have always be an 'on time' person. Maybe it's a control thing...I don't know...Anyway, I just wanted to say...I don't usually get upset with people for being late...the Zoo thing was a little crazy...for a lot of reasons. So, ya'll don't think I'm weird or high-maintenance, or something like that & if you know me personally and we have plans to meet and you're late...don't be thinking that I'm going to be mad, because I'm not. I'm just going to be happy to see you!
11 comments:
I feel ya! I get the same way when I'm going to be late. So...yes I got that way the last time we met at that park :D .... and when we came over for dinner. It happened yesterday too when Linnae had a preschool eval and I got LOST because my internet directions were WRONG. The day only got worse from there. I think we live in too big of a city. Is that an excuse? hehe
Yes Chelan...in my professional (not) opinion, living in a large city, especially when you are new and don't know where things are and how long it will take to get there, can be an acceptable excuse :) - And the park...I think you were maybe three minutes late and three minutes late to a park play date is on time in my book! :)
This bugs me, too, although I am far from perfect. Our playgroup is getting so lax on being on time. We have been meeting at the church, and some of us (me and some that are more on time) don't have keys so we just have to wait outside. Sometimes if I have to run some errands first and get there 15 min. late I'm still the first one. That is kind of frustrating. It makes me not even want to get there before a half hour late.
I'm not so good at punctuality but I am getting better. That's so sad you waited so long your little one's were upset. That doesn't help your mood at all. I'm sorry! I glad it turned out to be a good outing after all.
ARGH! I hate it when people are late. Making me late. I used to be so crazy with being punctual, that I would feel late when I was on time. Hubby is not so punctual, but we are still a very courteous family when it comes to time. You were not wrong to feel upset; of course, like chelan said, you never know why people are late so it's best to give them the benefit of the doubt.
And btw, I love that you are Leslie! It's nice knowing your first name. :) :)
This is one of my biggest pet peeves and I always go above and beyond to be on time. Problem is my good friend is perpetually late and it drives me nuts. She carpools my daughter for preschool and is always running at least five minutes behind....
30 minutes late is definitely not very courteous.
I could not agree more. Every Sunday I sit up front because I play the organ. Every Sunday it is the same people who come in 15+ minutes late. It makes no difference what time church starts or on which schedule. If you backed it up 15 minutes to get them there on time, they would still be 15 minutes late. I've never understood that thinking.
That is so true Lucy!!! I don't understanding the thinking either, but I believe it is called, Mormon Standard Time :)
Everybody else...thanks for your comments...I added another note on the original post if you want to take a look.
And I just have to say to Cheryl...welcome back...it's so fun to see your comments again! Hooray!!!
We once had a big miscommunication happen between us and some friends of ours. It ended up causing the poor family to be waiting for us at a restaurant for over an hour. By the time we figured out wehre they had gone and we found them they were in the middle of eating and I could tell the mother was about ready to kill us (and I couldn't blame her). I felt so bad.
While it is a fact that families with kids are going to be late now and then I totally understand the pain of making little children wait too long for late people. My rule is 15 minutes (but I'll do more if the kids are still happy). 15 minutes and then I focus on my kids and we do our own thing. I hope the rest of the trip was enjoyable.
OK, I promise this is the last old post I am going to comment on tonight! :-)
My father has always been very big on the importance of being on time. Growing up I was always reminded that it showed respect for other people etc etc. So I have always been pretty good about being on time.
My husband? A completely different story. His family was rarely on time for anything and did not really think it mattered. So my husband was never on time for anything! And the thing that really drove me bonkers is when he would make me late and ask me what the big deal was. Arg! So anyway, I learned losing my cool with him was not going to help. Eventually he came to understand my point of view and agree with me. I think spending a lot of time with my family helped too. Long story short, he is much better about being on time most of the time. :-)
Post a Comment