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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Settle an argument. "As early as possible"

50 replies

IncompleteSenten · 27/04/2022 21:57

In this case referring to going somewhere.

Does "as early as possible" mean -

YABU - as early as you can possibly get up and go. Set your alarm for stupid o'clock, wash, coffee, dress, straight out and off.

YANBU - the earliest convenient time taking into consideration various factors such as avoiding school traffic, not being too tired, the time where you're going opens etc.

I say settle an argument but we're not arguing or anything. It's totally trivial.

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 27/04/2022 21:58

Yes the earliest sensible time factoring in other things. Not 5am early. Unless it's for a flight or something.

ElegantlyTouched · 27/04/2022 22:00

Depends on the situation. Told to go to A&E asap the next day - YABU. Meeting a friend for coffee, YANBU.

Redglitter · 27/04/2022 22:00

It would depend what it was for

Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2022 22:00

A combination of the two And depends on where surely?

A ‘6 hour drive to a UK holiday’ would have a different answer from ‘day trip to the farm’

BrightonBunny · 27/04/2022 22:01

More context needed.

If I ask my assistant to book me a flight to Stockholm on Friday morning "as early as possible" then I will expect that to be the first flight out, even if that is 5am.

If I am asked to come and look after my DGC in the morning because their mother is ill, "as early as possible" that would be around 7am.

If I am asked to see me boss in the morning "as early as possible" that would be around 8.45.

So really you need to provide more info OP.

Wigeon · 27/04/2022 22:01

It would totally depend on where you were going, and how important it was that you were on time.

SilverHairedCat · 27/04/2022 22:03

Definitely depends on where you're going, why you're going there and other time factors i.e. opening time of the shop / event / location - pointless rocking up 3hrs before something opens for example.

What's the scenario?

NoSquirrels · 27/04/2022 22:04

Can't vote because clearly it’s not alarm at stupid o’clock but “as soon as possible” if it includes “being a bit tired” as a criteria. It’s too vague as a timing.

LubaLuca · 27/04/2022 22:04

It's the first one to me. In my terms, it's literally as early in the morning as possible after having had enough sleep to function for the whole of the next day. Up and at it, no time for fannying around.

My husband disagrees with me.

chisanunian · 27/04/2022 22:05

All depends on where you're going, what for, how long it's going to take to get there, what time it opens/starts and whether you need to be there before the kick-off.

Original poster
IncompleteSenten · 27/04/2022 22:08

Oh sorry. It really is totally trivial. And long. And convoluted. And boring.

It's to get to somewhere about 15 miles away that opens at 9 am to return something that has to be returned that day and get back home as quickly and early as possible because we're expecting a delivery no time given and I'm currently bedbound so can't answer the door. It can't be taken after the delivery because delivery time is 'all day' so knowing our luck the delivery would arrive after the place closes.

It involves going into heavy traffic and school and work run times are hell.

OP posts:
LostOrFound · 27/04/2022 22:10

Totally depends on the context, and I think in most contexts I’d give more detail. I can’t think of many when “as early as possible” would be a helpful instruction.

Pixiedust1234 · 27/04/2022 22:10

Depends what it is for and how far away it is, and how long it takes to get there. Long drive to another part of the country then its stupid o'clock to avoid traffic. Walking 2 miles to school to be the first one there then no, 5am is beyond stupid.

bellac11 · 27/04/2022 22:10

It depends on the situation but your update scenario would mean to me that you get there for 9am (you cant get there any earlier for it to make a difference) pick the item up and then go home immediately.

Thats as early as possible, because its not possible to get there and back any sooner

Fairislefandango · 27/04/2022 22:12

Impossible to say. Could mean either or anything in between.

Pixiedust1234 · 27/04/2022 22:12

Seen your updated post. Work out how long it would take to travel/Park so you can be waiting outside the doors at 9am. Then work backwards as to whether they want breakfast, shower etc first.

buckeejit · 27/04/2022 22:13

Yanbu

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 27/04/2022 22:13

Neither, or both. I think the deciding factor for me would be where you were going and when it is possible for you to get access to whatever you're going for.

An attraction or something, no point getting there 4 hrs before it opens. Would be reasonable to build in time for a breakfast stop / traffic buffer and be there maybe 15 mins before opening.

No point rocking up at work 2 hrs before the building is unlocked.

Rude to pitch up at a relation's house at 5am and wake them up.

24hr access to whatever it is, with an urgent need to get there asap, where delay could cause a bad outcome - like medical assistance needed / catching a very early flight - then definitely ignore everything except minimum sleep to allow safe travel.

Original poster
IncompleteSenten · 27/04/2022 22:14

It's literally walk in and hand it over, so five minutes unless there's a queue.

Really it's more general rather than this specific situation though. It's just this situation has made us realise we see "as early as possible" differently.

I said really you should go as early as possible.

He said it doesn't open till 9

I said yes, so it wouldn't be possible to do it before then.

Then he said traffic first thing is awful.

So I said well then that's something you factor in when deciding what is 'as early as possible'and that's where we disagree.

As early as possible is literally the earliest time you can get there, regardles.

Or.

The earliest time you can get there taking into consideration lots of factors including whether you feel like driving in heavy traffic etc

OP posts:
Hawkins001 · 27/04/2022 22:16

IncompleteSenten · 27/04/2022 22:08

Oh sorry. It really is totally trivial. And long. And convoluted. And boring.

It's to get to somewhere about 15 miles away that opens at 9 am to return something that has to be returned that day and get back home as quickly and early as possible because we're expecting a delivery no time given and I'm currently bedbound so can't answer the door. It can't be taken after the delivery because delivery time is 'all day' so knowing our luck the delivery would arrive after the place closes.

It involves going into heavy traffic and school and work run times are hell.

In that case, earliest when you get up

Hercisback · 27/04/2022 22:16

In that case "as early as possible" means aim to arrive to be there for 9am.

DinasCopUniform · 27/04/2022 22:17

I would be working it out as if I had to be at work for 0855. I don't understand the issue!

ChocBloc · 27/04/2022 22:18

As early as it is sensible to do so

ArianaDumbledore · 27/04/2022 22:18

IncompleteSenten · 27/04/2022 22:14

It's literally walk in and hand it over, so five minutes unless there's a queue.

Really it's more general rather than this specific situation though. It's just this situation has made us realise we see "as early as possible" differently.

I said really you should go as early as possible.

He said it doesn't open till 9

I said yes, so it wouldn't be possible to do it before then.

Then he said traffic first thing is awful.

So I said well then that's something you factor in when deciding what is 'as early as possible'and that's where we disagree.

As early as possible is literally the earliest time you can get there, regardles.

Or.

The earliest time you can get there taking into consideration lots of factors including whether you feel like driving in heavy traffic etc

I'd say the latter is "at your earliest convenience"

Hercisback · 27/04/2022 22:18

There's no point being there at 5am, so as early as physically possible would be stupid.

Equally leaving it until 10am and being out the house for an hour of prime delivery time isn't great either.