For me, this one has always been easy. Because I hate to keep people waiting. Especially people I care about. Which is why I 
can’t relate to or understand lateness. When I’m on time, it shows my family and friends that I value theirs. I remember I had this boyfriend who was always late and it drove me crazy. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. He told me he had a friend who whenever they made plans to get together would ask, “Is that Steve time, or Pacific time?” I thought this was pretty funny. But not for long. And don’t even get me started on the boyfriend (a different Steve) who kept me waiting 45 minutes at a restaurant because he was watching “Jeopardy.” Actually, I can’t believe I stuck around. But I was in my 20s and those were the days, as Lena Dunham of “Girls,” says where we have complete self-confidence and no self-worth. I definitely suffered from that affliction, which is no doubt why my dating life was one disaster after another. What I will say to all you late folks out there who may never change their ways no matter how much it annoys, irritates and feels disrespectful to their friends, boyfriends, children, husbands, etc.: If you’re going to be consistently late, at least apologize. That can make all the difference in the world. I’ve found that most people who are late, don’t do this and it kind of blows my mind. I feel far more forgiving toward those who do. Maybe you’ve seen the license plate frame, “Always late, but worth the wait.” Are you?
Word to the wise: If you’re always late, not everyone will wait. If you care enough, or someone makes you care enough, you’ll change. And if you’re always on time like me, it helps to bring a book.
Are you an early or late bird? Ever have anyone not wait for you and how did you feel about it? Note: If I’m lucky enough to get a book deal, your comments may be published anonymously in “Wise Before 25, 50 Things Young Women Need to Know.”
Wise Before 25 
OK I am certainly guilty of being 15 minutes late for everything, but when i was younger it was much more! I do, however, feel that it is polite to show up 15 minutes late to a dinner party and seem to recall it being a french custom that they refer to as “the gift of kindness” for the host. But perhaps I made this up because if you show up to my dinner parties on time I am still vacuuming the floor in my bath towel… I need that extra 15 minutes!
15 minutes – ok. 45, not so much 🙂
Now that is a thoughtful, insightful response. I don’t think 10 minutes is really that late, especially if there’s a call or a text. That is within reason and things happen. And that is a great quote about people saying that their on time when it really matters – I never really thought about that before but it kind of says to the person that’s waiting for them that they don’t matter. Nice! Thanks for sharing 🙂
So true. Every word. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’m one of those 10-minute-late people. I don’t think I’d be considered by friends to be a half-hour-or-more-late person. But the fact that I feel the need to categorize my lateness should probably tell me something. : \ I wholeheartedly agree that being on time tells people you value theirs. That’s what my dad always told me. And when people say “I”m on time when it really matters”, that just confirms that fact to me. As for apologizing, I do think it becomes a bit hollow if you’re consistently late, and certainly begs the question “if you’re really sorry, why not change?”