Sitting In Limbo
I know you. You're easy to spot. You're the sucker who is always on time for appointments. You arrive just before the agreed upon hour, make a cursory glance around the restaurant, are seated, check the time, take a well-deserved exhalation of relief, then lean-ever so slightly-to get a better look out the window, anticipating the imminent arrival of your friend. And you do this, time and again, knowing full well that your lunch companion will be at least thirty minutes late.
You are the Pavlovian pooch, salivating for a meal that never comes. But you cannot help yourself, for you suffer from a disease stronger than your experience. You are punctual.
How many days, even weeks of your life have been stolen by the disorganized, the rude, even the wonderfully charming unaware? And you wonder what are the chances you can cure the tardy?
If you're an optimist, there are a couple of things you can try in an effort to reform the latecomer.
Have them state when they CAN be there, not when they hope to be there. This will reinforce the idea that you don't want to spend your time waiting. And if they can't commit with certainty, suggest you meet them another day.
Tell them you have another appointment later and will not be able to wait more than 15 minutes. Then leave if they fail to show. This is best used with those whom you don't care if you see ever again.
