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

Late arrivers and early birds are both incompetent at managing their time but late arrivers also devalue the time of their host.

Yes I agree earliness is also annoying
I had one lady bring her 5 year to my daughters birthday party almost an hour early (she acknowledged she was early said kids were bored waiting at home) It was a hall style party and we'd only just got keys and were frantically setting up sorting out food etc and the Entertainer. Wouldn't have been a problem really but she bought all 3 of her children with her and they were pestering us for food and drinks! Really stressed me out and ruined the day if I'm honest

Yes. But if taking public transport it’s not always possible to time things perfectly. I wouldn’t want my friends to feel they had to skulk around the neighbourhood in the rain until perfectly on time.

Yes, I hate it. Always remember a dear friend turning up half an hour early once when I was still rushing round doing last-minute jobs and hadn't done my makeup yet. She greeted me with a big smile and instead of feeling pleased to see her, I just felt annoyed (obviously I hid this).

I make a point of never being early. On the contrary, I'm always a few minutes late to give my host time to finish up any prep.

Oh yes! I run an event at work that starts at 9, already has a one hour buffer, ie registration and coffee from 8. I still get people arriving at 7.30am being annoyed that we aren't ready for them!

Early to my house is unforgivable! Early to a venue where they just have to sit on their phone with a beer for a few minutes, we'll, that's their choice. But I've turned people away from parties before who were too early. I said, go to the pub across the road and come back in an hour! I don't want people under my feet when I'm doing last minute prep. In fact I prefer people to be 15 mins late to dinner at mine as it will be running late!

People being early are more annoying. And that's saying something because I really dislike people being late.

I remember one of my children’s parties where every single child had been dropped off and left (they were old enough) at least 5 minutes before the time the party was due to start.

I find guests arriving early far more annoying. In fact we have repeat offenders in our family (both sides), so we now tell them to arrive at 3 if we actually mean 2.

It's so rude and I can't stand it.

I'm always early but I just wait in the car or a coffee shop or something until it's time to visit. I don't mind people being early at my house, I'm usually ready at least an hour before visitors are due.

Lateness is much worse imo

I think expecting people to be on the dot is a bit odd too. Really early or really late are a no-no, though. I’d say any more than 10 mins early or half an hour late is ok for things at home. Different if you are meeting out somewhere. Being annoyed someone is a few minutes early is odd. I’m always ready about half an hour before visitors are due and aim food for about an hour after the time scheduled. That way there’s some flexibility.

edit: I’m only referring to visitors to your home here.

I have a lovely lovely old friend who I have learnt to assume will always be a few minutes early. It drives me absolutely crazy as inevitably I'm doing the lat minute tidy up or rushing upstairs to finish putting make up on!

Yes! We had a candidate interviewing for a job turn up hours early and we didn’t know what to do with them 😆 really made a bad impression as they were already putting us out. Interview location was city centre with lots of cafes/pubs to wait in nearby so was off putting that they hadn’t used initiative/ didn’t have the confidence to go and sit in one of those until the right time.

If I'm going to someone's house I'll pull into a layby/sidestreet and wait rather than be early.

I hate people being late, obviously depending on reason, but we have close friends who have NEVER been on time, so WE plan accordingly!! Keeps me sane but still annoyed that we have to do that for 2 adults who hold down good jobs! Just rude!

Agreed. Why can't people just be on time? 😂 I always make sure to arrive early, but will sit in the car or potter about until the time I'm supposed to be arrive so not to be an inconvenience to the person expecting me.