If you are like me, you hate being late, but we all know people who are just known for their tardiness. I would rather be exactly on time, or even early. However, in other people's eyes, being early is actually a waste of time. I have decided to find some pros to both being early and being late that everyone might be able to relate to on some level. Next time a friend or family member is late, I may be able to sympathize with them, even if they never give a good enough reason as to why. Also, next time I am out the door just to end up arriving fifteen minutes (or more!) early, I can take a moment to put some things into consideration.
For me to understand and condole along the late comers, I will begin with their pros.
Late
1. There is never any awkward "standing around" time.
Whether it be at a party, a work meeting or even class, we all know about the forced small talk or terrible silence. If someone is late, they can just jump right in to whatever they are showing up for because it has already started.
2. There is never any pressure to help set up/ prepare.
If they are late, everything is already completed beforehand. No need to be pressured into having to get coffees, make copies, sweep up, hang something up, pull that last thing out of the oven, tidy up, etc.
3. There is no wondering where to go.
Whether it be a party, the first day on the job, a luncheon, or anything else, everyone being there prior will give assurance of the location. Usually noise, smell, or physically seeing people is the best kind of directions, in this case.
4. The host of *insert event* knows that they have someone to count on for last minute pick-ups.
Whether it be some extra drinks or a guest without a ride, they know who will be a little behind and able to take care of the retrieval.
5. There will be a more dramatic entrance.
People who show up on time are easily unnoticed, but someone who opens the door after a class, a meeting, etc. has begun will turn heads.
6. There will be no question as to where to sit/ stand/ be because everyone known will be there first.
If the best friends or funny co-workers are in the back corner that must be where I want to go upon arrival.
Now, onto the pros of the early birds...so others can take these things into consideration, also.
Early
1. Simply, they are not late.
Arriving early shows some kind of care, or a want to be there.
2. They will be one of the first ones to know information.
If at work, class, a family event or a party, usually the people in charge, or possibly setting up, know all the latest news and gossip on upcoming occurrences, peoples' previous doings, crucial information, etc., so being there before the bulk of the people can allow a gateway to these.
3. They can be more easily remembered.
Think of going somewhere, anywhere, that there are people that are new. The people who are introduced at the beginning are the people that have their names recollected much more.
4. There will not be as many people doing *insert action here* at the same time.
This could be in reference to a commute, signing a card and much more.
5. There is less stress.
Without rushing around, there can be a lot more concentration on the task at hand. There is no such thing as "last minute." It is a proactive outlook rather than reactive.
6. There is more time to fix mistakes.
This could be something that happened a while back or right with entrance. An early bird will not worry about scrambling through embarrassment with no time to spare.
To conclude, it does not actually matter whether you are an early or a late type of person. Pros of a late-comer can be seen as cons of an early bird, and vice versa. These pros can allow everyone to put the opposite side of what or who they are into consideration and give them some leeway. Maybe having everyone be on time could be the happy medium, but we all know that is just not realistic.
