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AIBU?

To think people being really early for things are as inconvenient as people being really late?

33 replies

Freckletoes · 07/06/2014 15:58

I'm an "arrive with seconds to spare" kind of person now I have kids. If I think I am going to be late for something I will do my best to let someone know. I prefer to make arrangement that are a bit flexible-"between 10 and half past" type of thing. If I have something really important to get too and there is a chance of bad traffic or similar I will set off ridiculously early and if I arrive way before the time expected I will wait in the car or get a drink etc. But I have had 2 occasions this week (and more in the past) where people have arranged to come to me for things then arrive up to an hour before the agreed time (and a definite time, not an in between thing). First occasion I was in the bath, second occasion this morning I was having a cheeky lie in when a neighbour popped in (actually in the house as is his way Hmm) way before arranged and before 8 am! I have in the past had people disgruntled because I am not in an agreed place 30 minutes before an agreed time. AIBU or should I be ready for arranged things way before they are meant to happen?!

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MuttonCadet · 07/06/2014 17:56

When people are early at my house I give them a duster or some cutlery and get them to help out.

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Freckletoes · 07/06/2014 18:00

Oooooo moomins got a cob on!

Glad it's not just me then! And I am talking really early-10-15 mins is acceptable (but would prefer not thank you very much!) but an hour or even hours early......why?!?

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DontGiveAwayTheHomeworld · 07/06/2014 18:11

Relying on public transport means I tend to be early to things, but that's what benches and headphones are for. I use the extra time to chill out, particularly before work.

If friends show up to my house early, I get them to make the tea. They know where everything is, and they know they're welcome to have a snack/watch telly if I'm not ready yet. Anyone else doing it would annoy me because then I'm expected to play host!

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MoominAndMiniMoom · 07/06/2014 18:13

got a cob on

Love it Grin haven't heard that phrase for ages!

No it's just predictable that some of us will come in and post genuine apologetic explanations for why being on time is a struggle (not just late, I've turned up an hour early for things in the past :( ), and people will respond with "that's bullshit, you just value your time more than you value others, how selfish". Hmm

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LumionaMoonsplash · 07/06/2014 18:20

Yep I hate this too, late I can deal with but early is so annoying. My pil and bil all arrive at least an hour before they agree to, last time was 2 hours early. I was heading out to go shopping. I have to smile and seethe at the same time.

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WitchWay · 07/06/2014 18:20

I'm usually in the vicinity of my destination a little too early as I hate being late, but wouldn't actually arrive until the right time.

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HumptyDumptyBumpty · 07/06/2014 18:36

I used to have this at work - events manager. People would turn up as I was setting up an event, often on my own, and refuse to go and have a coffee/amuse themselves whilst I set up the room, put out chairs, saw to speakers, sorted out catering etc. The worst was two ladies who'd travelled from Scotland to London and were THREE HOURS early (conference, takes ages to set up). They arrived as I did. Apparently having traveled so far, they weren't 'paying for some stupid London coffee at ten quid a pop' so I made them sit on chairs at the edge of the room, and being mean did teas and coffees last so they had to wait two hours with no refreshments. They could have got a later train, so I was entirely unsympathetic to their sighs at how thirsty they were buy a bottle of water FFS.

I used to get apoplectic, frankly. It's unnecessary, rude and inconsiderate. I had a proper fight (in a terribly polite, professional manner Grin) with a chap over it once. I had to keep an eye on two cash boxes until staff arrived, and he wouldn't budge, meaning I'd have been unable to set up and deal with the speaker (two rooms).
I threatened to cancel the day if he didn't leave and come back in an hour. He did. Wink

I've also switched off the lights and locked the venue door and hidden to discourage stupidly early birds. It makes me Angry just remembering!

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CremeEggThief · 07/06/2014 18:37

YABU- being too early is much worse than being a little late!

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