I’ve had a complex relationship with punctuality over the years. The United States is a tolerant culture when it comes to people that arrive late, but nevertheless, for many people (especially in the business world) tardiness is a cardinal sin or at least an event that puts a stain on the perception of the person’s character.
The advice given to me recently that I like, and intend to follow, is to:
- Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to everything.
- Bring something short to read in case you actually do arrive early.
Of course, this requires careful planning, and never pressing the “snooze” button in all its manifestations.
