Primo: I have a meeting tonight. The new chair has decided we will have a consensus-based agenda.
Me: What's that?
Primo: We are supposed to read the materials before the meeting so we don't spend time at the meeting reading them.
Me: That's the right way to do it.
Primo: We have also agreed that the meeting starts at 6:00.
Me: Good.
Primo: Whether people are there or not!
Me: That's the right way to do it!
Primo: But last time, only half the members were there at 6:00.
Me: So? Why should the people who are on time be punished?
Primo: But it's stressful for me!
Me: So your time is more valuable than mine?
Primo: Even the theatre starts at five minutes past four! The tickets say the show is at 4:00!
Me: It is extraordinarily rude to make other people wait because you can't be on time.
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I'm a little surprised at this approach from an engineer. When one person is late, it is inefficient, because even if you start, that person misses out and has to catch up. The most efficient thing is for everyone to be there at the agreed-upon time, and to start on time!
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that we wind up getting sidetracked very easily, and even when we don't, the volunteer Committee I chair has a bunch of very smart people who have some very well thought out opinions with reams of data to back it up! But it's a very interesting group, so it's not boring, just difficult to be efficient. I have managed to end early occasionally, though!
At a cocktail party or open house, sure, within the time frame on the invite is fine. At a meeting, a dinner party, the theater - ON TIME. Or, you know, a few minutes early so you can use the restroom, comb your hair if needed, mute your phone etc. So you're not doing those things once the meeting starts....
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