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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend is always 'running late'.

241 replies

katseyes7 · 20/01/2020 10:52

FFS. Arranged to go out with my friend today. l've only seen her briefly in the last month, haven't been out together for ages.
Without fail, almost every time we've arranged to go out, l've either had a text saying she's 'running late', 'fell asleep' or something similar. And l can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times she's actually been ready when l've got there. There seems to be no concept of other people's arrangements or time wasted.

Just had a text. "Sorry l fell asleep (? - it's half ten in the morning!) - should (!) be ready for 12.30". Usual time is 12:00, because it takes her that long to get ready. l've been ready to go out of the door for nearly 2 hours.
On one occasion last year, we arranged to go to meet another friend of mine for about an hour (for a specific reason) before she (other friend) went to work. When l arrived at my friends to collect her, she'd only just started putting her makeup on. (Which takes forever. At least an hour). She sat there, painstakingly putting her face on, no hurry, no sense of urgency whatsoever. The result being that by the time she got ready, we didn't leave her house until after the time we'd actually agreed to meet my other friend. Twenty miles away. By the time we were halfway there, my other friend had to leave for work. So l wasted god knows how much time, and forty miles worth of petrol for nothing.

ls it me? Or is it cheeky and bad mannered?
l work. She doesn't. So my days off are precious to me. AIBU to be annoyed, yet again? She's otherwise a good friend.

OP posts:
popolopodus · 20/01/2020 17:28

I'm the late friend. But I'm also popular and have lots of friends to meet up with.

I often say to people oh you'll get used to me and they either do or they drop out of being my friend.
I'm not really worried if they drop me and accept it's my fault but obviously always nicer if they don't. If I could change being late I would do but I don't seem to be able to. At no point do I think my time is more valuable than someone else's. I do often make it to work and hospital appointments but I have been late to work etc as well but I'd hide that side of things as it is embarrassing so not everybody who knows me would genuinely know exactly what I'm late for. I'm not saying I'm right in all of this at all but sure drop your friend and make some new prompt ones. I tend to stay friends with those able to get around my lateness ie simply say 12 then accept we'll probably meet at 2 and also friends who are ok with me being late.

The one thing I would definitely stop doing if you do want to maintain friendship is pick her up. In my mind I'm always thinking oh I'll sort it in 5 minutes but if I know someone's coming to my house I'll add another 5 minutes to my 'times' it's dreadful but I'm always worse when I know the persons coming to my house. You are enabling her and it is your choice to be her friend and if she's annoying you that much probably for the best you get new ones

PineappleDanish · 20/01/2020 17:36

I often say to people oh you'll get used to me

Urgh. Look at me, I'm so SPESHUL, you all have to get used to me because i'm not prepared to change my ways and be on time for you. But I am so a-may-zing that I'm worth it! Hmm

If I could change being late I would do but I don't seem to be able to.

Of course you could. But you don't want to, being so amazing and all.

Equanimitas · 20/01/2020 17:45

If I could change being late I would do but I don't seem to be able to.

Oh, come off it, how do you imagine the rest of us manage it?

PuppyMonkey · 20/01/2020 18:03

@popolopodus but if you’re late for work, you might get the sack. It’s not just about being embarrassed? Confused

I’m glad you are so popular though, and that none of your friends mind (they do, though Wink).

popolopodus · 20/01/2020 18:05

Not all jobs sack you for being late. It's not great though. I am terrible for being late

popolopodus · 20/01/2020 18:06

@Equanimitas I honestly have no idea else I'd do it surely?

RockinHippy · 20/01/2020 18:33

Neither can my diagnosed mental health issues ... but I dont use it as an excuse. Sometimes I dont leave the house for days because i just cannot face the outside world and the thought of going outside has set off a panic attack.

Sigh - that's exactly the kind of attitude that is makes it difficult for chronically ill people to speak up.

There's also a vast difference between anxiety due to MH issues & anxiety due to Dysautonomia & a broken flight or fight response. The stress of us rushing her, can trigger a massive panic attack & a hysterical meltdown in DD for example. Triggers can come out of the blue from anything & everything

LochJessMonster · 20/01/2020 19:24

I'm the late friend. But I'm also popular yeah so’s my friend but we all bitch about her behind her back 🤷‍♀️

Of course you can stop being late, you just can’t be bothered because you think you are worth being waited around for. I can assure you, you are not.

RunForBurritos · 20/01/2020 19:34

" I am always and I won't change because it doesn't affect me since I have lots of friends".
Never mind the effect on you, what about other people?
If all your friends got fed up, you would try harder.
You just don't feel the need to.
And there is late and late. I may be 10 to 15 minutes late to go round someone's house, I am not perfect. But two hours is not even late any more, you might as well not turn up!

RunForBurritos · 20/01/2020 19:37

Thank you for replying Rockinhippy.
I am sorry some people have put it down to laziness. Surely they must see that if you could live differently you happily would!
I am glad you have a supportive husband.

popolopodus · 20/01/2020 19:41

I don't think I'm special, I mention I'm popular because it doesn't appear to have made much difference to me keeping friends.
If my friends want to bitch about me behind my back then they're not really friends are they? I still don't see why people feel they are forced to be friends with anyone. I personally think the OP acting like they have to be friends with them because they're my only local friend is a bit sanctimonious tbh. Just get new friends?

sonjadog · 20/01/2020 19:42

I have a friend who used to do similar. She got a lot better when I would just cancel any meeting that she was ridiculously late for. I just told her I didn't have time to wait and got on with my day. It took a while, but she did get her act together in the end, as she missed out on a lot of opportunities by her lateness. A bit like your friend this time. If she misses out on several shopping trips she wants to go on, she might rethink her lateness.

BumbleBeee69 · 20/01/2020 19:49

Neither can my diagnosed mental health issues ... but I dont use it as an excuse.

Agreed Flowers

Dustarr73 · 20/01/2020 20:05

RockinHippy

Wow armchair diagnosis.You dont know this woman personally.She could just as easily be a CF.

I suffer with social anxiety as well,to see me you wouldnt think it.It takes a lot for me now to go to some events.But i do go,because its important.And i dont be late because i actually like the person im going to meet,and dont want to leave them waiting.

gypsywater · 20/01/2020 20:26

I wouldn't give a shit if my friends bitched about me behind my back for being late. They're welcome to get new friends if they so wish. But they dont Wink

RunForBurritos · 20/01/2020 21:13

Sounds like you don't give a shit about your friends, full stop.

RunForBurritos · 20/01/2020 21:14

Sanctimonious? Huh?

gypsywater · 20/01/2020 21:33

@RunForBurritos you are so tiresome

AlexaAmbidextra · 20/01/2020 21:37

Is she off work today? Maybe wants to sleep in if a day off?

In which case she shouldn’t have arranged to meet up.

gypsywater · 20/01/2020 21:43

Maybe it could be more a problem with saying no then perhaps

Russellbrandshair · 20/01/2020 21:48

Well of course she does it- because you let her get away with it! You should tell her you’ll wait 20 mins and then you’re leaving. Then actually leave. After a few times of this you’ll be surprised how she gets her act together. She does it now because there are no consequences

Russellbrandshair · 20/01/2020 21:51

Sigh - that's exactly the kind of attitude that is makes it difficult for chronically ill people to speak up*

Has it ever occurred to you that being constantly late causes other people anxiety? It’s horrible waiting in a public lace for someone who never shows. It’s embarrassing, humiliating and causes me huge anxiety. Your mental health does not trump mine. You have every right to be late and I have every right not to be friends with someone who causes me anxiety

gingerbiscuits · 20/01/2020 22:20

I'd start calling her bluff if I were you- if she's not ready then tell her you're going ahead without her..."I'm not missing xyz because you're not ready!" Otherwise, she'll take the piss forever.

Snowpatrolling · 20/01/2020 22:26

I’ve got a friend like this, been waiting for her since October! 😂

BumbleBeee69 · 20/01/2020 22:30

don't wait..