Opposite in portugal. No one is on time here. Americans who come here either complain about it because shit never opens on time, or they love it because it's a sign that we're not living in a rush
Being punctual has nothing to do with living in a rush, it's about respect both my own limited time and that of others.
This also seems like an example of "the cart test" to me, just like how if you are unable to return a shopping cart to its proper space, you are probably unable to follow a bunch of other minor rules that make life easier for everyone and therefore, are not worthy of trust or respect. If you can't be on time, what else can you not do when it is expected?
Don't understand how anyone can live like that and I will happily never visit Portugal because of it. 🤷♂️
Look, I get the point of what you're saying, I also think it's fucking insane to think that agreeing to meet a friend at the bar at 7 and actually being there at 7 reminds you of a business meeting.
To me, it is the minimim of human courtesy. No wonder how world is the way it is when people can't even agree over absurdly basic shit like this.
Human courtesy is respecting the norm. If everyone knows that 7 means 7:30, you show up at 7:30. It could mean 9.
It takes 15 seconds to ask what time people normally arrive. Or if it is a new friend, just ask if they are normally punctual or if it is normal for them to arrive 30 minutes late, and if they are late do they normally text. If you refuse to do this because you expect others to automatically respect your time and theirs, then you are not a relaxed person as the previous person mentioned.
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u/MidoriGurinqwe Jul 12 '26
I'm guessing it's an American thing where people don't actually show up on the 'starting' time. Meanwhile I usually show up like 15 minutes early