And then the clock strikes 7. The proposed meet up time. Glancing around, nobody is here yet.

Malaysian time is very efficient, always. And it never fails to have a close association with the word, 'traffic jam'. I am a malaysian who follows these malaysian time settings once in a while. No, I do them just to annoy the crap out of others and other times, I just find it unnecessary to rush about, knowing it is alright to be late. And as for other non-malaysian times, those are the days where I just felt like being there early to scold others about their never-ending record of malaysian time streaks. Just for the fun of it.

This is actually a bad habit that we usually couldnt bother acknowledging on how important it really is to be on time. Because there are times where being on time is really that necessary, but because it had already been a habit, we would be prepared with excuses and just turn up late as though it didn't matter.

What happens if we missed an important meeting? Maybe some of us can't really see how important this is to us now. Here is a question to you, have you ever been late for a movie screening? We are given movie tickets with specific timing, but we would normally be there early, and complain about the lengthy commercials. Or, we would purposely be early to watch all the juicy previews of upcoming movies. Or if we really had to rush, it would normally be just in time when the movie starts. Then, imagine if you were to be late and you missed your thousand dollar flight to some destination, it is an instant burn in the pocket and not to forget, a stab in the heart as well. As a matter of fact, we have to be hours earlier before our flight. Any later, you get left behind. Definite lesson for you to be ignorant about the importance of being on time.

Irresponsible. Rude. Undisciplined. Pretty much the verbs could be used for such behaviours of being late. Have you not considered that others would have to sacrifice whatever it is they have to do in order to be there on time? Fact is, you could have planned things out much earlier, to avoid all those unnecessary waits. Is it that difficult to be on time?
Is it that difficult to plan beforehand?
Is it that difficult to tell the others when you know you will be late?
Is is that difficult to be considerate?

And honestly, due to all those outings that I have planned, there had never been once that nobody is late. Lesson learnt? You cant expect everybody to be on time. Solution? Plan with time allowance for the arrivals of the royal kings and queens before the outing resumes. And of those times, I really do respect those who will always be on time. For I know it is difficult to be out of the norm, to not be late. Like I said, I am on and off for being on time.

Sometimes I feel that it is somewhat of a responsibility to be early, to wait for everyone else. As a planner, it is a 'must' thing to do. Unless you really can't make it in time, I believe it is necessary to get someone else who will be on time to hang in there until you get there. And when I'm the follower, knowing that others would be late and if I cant make it in time for the meet up time, I would plan my time thoroughly and make sure I'll be there 'not too early-not too late'. Now I am not saying that it is a good thing to do, I am trying to tell you that it is an act of mine where I take things forgranted.

Of all those meet ups, I am here to mention that I am 70% on time and 30% off time. Hehehe. Yeap. I deserve some scolding for sure, but before you do, make sure you are a 100% on-timer, otherwise it'll be invalid. ;)