To think that people who arrive early are as annoying as people who arrive late?

only on MN, it's just a natural thing to be at the right time in real life for everyone I know 😂

Quibbling like this over 10 minutes is just silly.

My friends / family like me and respect me well enough to allow me to have a shower and get ready and do whatever I have to do by not turning up early.

It's manners and basic respects. It's amazing how it makes life so much easier and happier for everyone involved.

I am not even talking about vague relatives, neighbours, and all the people you invite when you are not "friends" 😂.

Do you even want these people to come? When I invite people it’s becaus3 I like them and want their company. I couldn’t care less if people I know well and like arrive 10 mins before the appointed hour.

it's the ones turning up early because they can't be bothered to wait who are showing disdain for the host, expecting them to drop everything to host them.

Not the slightest regard for the host who might be on a work call, in the shower, in the loo...

But no, they must drop everything, rush to the door, welcome you who are so important, offer you a drink. If I need to ring the doorbell to go to somebody's house, I have more respect for them than behaving that way.

it's the ones turning up early because they can't be bothered to wait who are showing disdain for the host, expecting them to drop everything to host them.

Not the slightest regard for the host who might be on a work call, in the shower, in the loo...

But no, they must drop everything, rush to the door, welcome you who are so important, offer you a drink. If I need to ring the doorbell to go to somebody's house, I have more respect for them than behaving that way.

And respectful of people’s circumstances, there are loads of reasons why people can be early and late on occasion. If they are truly friends or loved ones, you won’t mind them chilling in your lounge while you get ready.

Very odd to treat people supposedly close to you, with such distain,

10 minutes before the time you've been invited for is definitely early!

@cardibach

If you consider it abit odd and uncomfortable for people to take a different approach to you, surely that means you're inflexible?

As @mrsmilesmatheson says, we all just need to be respectful of other people's time.

Ooo careful. I was told I must be a sad boring person with too much time on my hands if I was ready even a second before I’d asked people to arrive.

@cardibach

If you consider it abit odd and uncomfortable for people to take a different approach to you, surely that means you're inflexible?

As @mrsmilesmatheson says, we all just need to be respectful of other people's time.

I didn’t imply that at all. If anything I was suggesting it’s a bit odd to be uncomfortable about the presence of your friends in your house unless everything is perfect. I find the inflexibility apparent on this thread really odd and uncomfortable.

@cardibach Does it make you feel good to imply that you're a nicer person than me?

I don't like people hanging around in the kitchen while I put the final touches on the meal, for example, or for them to be waiting for me in the dining room/sitting room and us talking through the doorway.

I prefer to be able to fully focus on their company when they arrive. That's why it suits me better if they're not early.

I never feel my friends are in the way whatever I’m doing when they arrive, but you do you.

@WhenTheyComeForYou As others have said, it depends on the situation. 10 minutes early for a doctor's appointment or meeting someone at a restaurant is fine; showing up on someone's doorstep at 6:50 when they've invited you for dinner at 7 isn't, IMHO. They'll be doing last-minute prep and you'll be in the way.

Perhaps in your book, not in mine. I’m always ready well before 10 mins ahead of time, but then I hate rushing around and I’m an organised person.

Perhaps in your book, not in mine. I’m always ready well before 10 mins ahead of time, but then I hate rushing around and I’m an organised person.

Yes! My (petty & narcissistic) MIL once turned up an hour early to see my children on their birthday, all to avoid seeing her ex-husband. She also brought a random friend with her to our house and seemed surprised that I answered the door with wet hair. The actual party didn't start for 2 hours and she had already been allowed to come early because (supposedly) she'd double booked to go a theatre matinee. It was their 5th/6th birthday so not a new date to her, she was just so desperate not to see a man she'd been married to 30 years previously that she didn't care how inconsiderate she was being. All about her, as usual. As it normally is with those who are consistently late or early! Selfish gits.

10 minutes before the time you've been invited for is definitely early!

How early do you consider early?

10mins either side is on time for me. Before or after that time is early/late.

How early do you consider early?

10mins either side is on time for me. Before or after that time is early/late.

I'm still traumatised by a close family member, who I hadn't seen for years, turning up 5 hours early. I'm not sure what looked the biggest mess, me or the house.