I was always that student who arrived at college with the caretaker, and left when I was kicked out as they locked up for the night. It was probably this enthusiasm for my use of studio time that got me that 'first', rather than the quality of my work.
Even today, I start work at 5.30 am sharp every morning. If I didn't, it would totally put me off kilter.
I hate lateness, and I hate laziness. I also hate any lackadaisical attitude towards punctuality. Most people own a watch (I don't), so there is never any excuse for lazy time keeping. If I say 'I'll be there at eight pm'; I'm there at eight pm.
At school we were beaten for tardiness. If I was supposed to be preparing toast for some idiot at 3.30 pm, and arrived at 3.31 pm, I was punished before the toast making began. It was simply accepted that it was wiser to be a minute early than late; something I've never forgotten.
Breakfast, dog-walking, lunch, and supper, are never haphazard. Even now that I'm 'retired', and can please myself about such things, I continue to adhere to a strict timetable.
Call me obsessive if you will, but it's served me well so far; and people know that they can rely on me 100%.
47 comments:
Same here.
I'm not saying it's a good 'obsession', but, for some reason, I could never be happy without it.
Just wondering what work you start at 5.30. At this time of year I tend to start my day at 6 a.m. with a walk and breakfast, check emails etc and then depending on the day we either go on the Parkinson Walk, some other volunteering or today, it was weeding in the garden. I wouldn't call any of that work.
Don't even think about living on a relaxed Greek island . No one turns up on time, nothing starts on time though trains and boats almost keep to their timetables these days. My husband is one of those who is always on time, his years in the navy I suppose. Steam comes out of his ears when we have to wait......especially for family.
nnohing, but I've got used to it and never expect the expected
To me all of that is 'work'. Replying to Emails, writing my blog, even reading my on-line newspaper. It's what I have to do everyday, the standing-up work starts later.
I'm not saying it's an obsession, I am just naturally never late and I am 100% reliable.
I can remember inviting some friends, for supper, who'd lived out in the Caribbean for many years. I think I'd invited them for 8 pm, and they arrived at about 11 pm. They didn't even seem to notice, whilst I was absolutely 'fuming' inside.
We must be related!
If you are late you are telling people that you are more important than the people waiting for you. Bad manners and stupid. When I was at work I would fume when colleagues sauntered in late and meetings were delayed.
Sometimes I wish I could be a bit more relaxed about time keeping. I'm always too early for everything. Being late makes me panic.
That's right, and as is often said 'A man who is good at excuses, is generally not much good at anything else'
I'm the same; I become nervous. Especially if it's someone else causing my lateness.
I'm just like Sue.
Sounds like I'm not alone.
I can't stand it when people/things are late. There's no excuse as far as I'm concerned, I am always on time or early. I hate that phrase 'fashionably late' too, there's nothing fashionable about it, it's just downright rudeness. So I'm with you too Cro!
Gone are the days when you couldn't warn people that your car had broken down or the train had been delayed. Is there a little forgiveness now when people can use the mobile to let you know?
If I am anything less than 20 minutes early for a train I consider I am late.
I hate to be late .... when I was at work I was always there at least half an hour before I was meant to be!
I don’t agree with beating someone for being late though ... I hope those days are over. XXXX
Now that times are not so good it takes so much longer to 'get ready' to get out and I hope that we are forgiven for being that little bit late -odd minute or two. We were always at veunues first (and often last to leave0, like my Dad we were also the first at the bar to buy the round of drinks! After a lifetime of interest in clocks and watches my husband can no longer 'tell the time'. Is it Tempus fugit and Tempora mutantur ?
You're late. Do a 100 lines.
I agree, that's a stupid expression, it's like saying 'fashionably rude'.
I must say, I really hate those messages that say "We'll be an hour late". What's up with those people!
It wasn't that bad, a quick whack on the bottom, to remind you to be on time in future; it never really HURT.
I sold my watch, and bought a car; much more useful. Nowadays I take my time from the church bells, they ring the hours and half-hours. That's all I need.
Nice to be 'loved' though.
Same here. I am amused on tram to hear people tell their friends on their phones, I will be there in five minutes, when I know the journey will take ten minutes, plus walking time, so say 15 minutes. I have heard similar so many times. For me, plenty of time equals no stress, no sweating, no hand shaking tremors.
We have 'friends' who had no phone or internet, but always needed to use both urgently. Often they'd phone to ask if it was OK to use ours, and of course we always said yes. I couldn't count the amount of times they just didn't bother to turn up, and never an apology! Amazing.
I'm sorry I am late to this conversation, but I rarely get up before 9.00. Actually what am I talking about. I'm not sorry at all.
I am just now awake before I need to be, knocking on the bathroom door to let son know he needs to give himself enough time to clear the snow off the vehicle, and to get going early because of the roads... I'm always the early one in the family. The rest of them stress me out. -Jenn
My Retired Man is more than obsessive about time. We leave early for everything (just in case) and get there only to have to wait. We are the first ones at movies, the first at a restaurant to meet friends (who are always late), and sit in waiting rooms at least 1/2 hours before appointments. I told him that when he dies I will make sure that his funeral starts 10 minutes before the appointed time.
Don't you want to reply "we'll be done by then, don't bother"?
I always try to be on time. I once missed a flight because a co worker could not be on a time. It was infuriating.
I'll remember that next time!
I would actually love to have a FULL night's sleep until 9 or 10 am. Sadly it will never happen.
I was always the one on 'shouting duties' when the children were still at school. What a job it was getting them all out of the front door on time.
You're talking my language here. I can relate to everything you describe.
I can hardly believe that people are often so late for flights, trains, etc. I would be so ashamed of myself if I missed a flight. Lady Magnon is always an hour early at the airport, but I don't suppose she thanks me for it.
Add me to the list of obsessive timekeepers please. My parents and my brother were/are all in the same mould. Being late socially is rude and arrogant and the rest of the time it is just plain inconsiderate.
I am sure she does.
Being in teaching all my working life I learned that one should never be late. It has stood me in good stead and I still keep it up today.
My Irish friend is married to a Swiss chappie. On Swiss national day (1st August) they went over to his family to watch the fireworks when one of his cousins asked Grandma "do the fireworks start at 9 p.m. or 9.05?" My friend burst out laughing (being Irish) and no-one could understand why!
Do more drugs.
With a knowing glance, my supervisor said "I always arrive before my boss and leave after he leaves." Which, of course, stretched out the work day for me.
I must agree, although as you may have seen, there are always those who don't (I always delete him a.s.a.p).
Absolutely. If I'd been late for a class, it would have been a hanging offence; the same goes for when I was a pupil.
I can see why some might laugh... but I think 'cousin' had it right.
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