Why are some people always late for appointments?

It seems incredible, but there are people who seem to be unable to arrive on time to places despite planning schedules and constantly looking at the clock. It is problematic, especially when this delay, which is related to the time the trip started towards the meeting place, they are joined by last-minute unforeseen events, or when there is not much confidence with the people who are waiting.

Arriving late is usually a nuisance for both the person waiting and the one who is late. and, nevertheless, it is very common to leave with just the right time (or even, at the time at which left). How can it be explained that it is so difficult for us to learn from mistakes and leave early? There are different reasons that can explain the existence of these "chronic delays".

Possible reasons for being late (always, everywhere)

There must be some explanation why certain people are very prone to being late everywhere., while others display an English punctuality. Could this difference have something to do with some psychological aspect?

1. being too narcissistic

The people of narcissistic personality They are prone to having problems when it comes to putting themselves in the place of others. This implies, among other things, that they will not assume the fact that every time they are late they will cause inconvenience to third parties and, in fact, it is possible that they find the sensation of becoming wait.

After all, forcing yourself to be late to places is a way of creating the illusion that you are is important enough that everyone has to wait to enjoy their company. However, these cases are not too frequent.

2. Last minute racing addiction

It may be difficult to understand, but the need to find shortcuts or methods to move fast and the adrenaline release What is associated with being late can be considered something like a sport: being late for some kind of strange pleasure.

And as such, it is possible to generate addiction. So it is understandable that some people take it as such, albeit in a way unconscious, and take advantage of the slightest appointment or meeting as an excuse to live a little adventure to time trial.

3. You don't want to arrive early

This reason is the most sensible from a cost-benefit logic. There are many reasons why someone may not want to arrive even a minute before the agreed time, and none of these have to be the intention to cause trouble for others.

1. waiting is unproductive. Arriving early can be perceived as a waste of time. It does not give the feeling of serving a clear utility. Faced with the prospect of arriving too soon and spending a while doing nothing, it is possible that many people delay their departure precisely by doing things that are seemingly productive, such as cleaning the house, reading a book, or even taking time to rest, something that could be done while you wait. Ironically, this drive toward productivity that leads to chronic retardation probably wouldn't be there if did not have the perception of having to choose between that or spending an unproductive time in the agreed place for the meeting.
2. It's boring. Arriving early means spending a time of monotony and discomfort. Waiting for someone means being immobile for a few minutes, with nothing to do and without being able to go anywhere else. Just as it is known that the other person can be upset if they have to wait too long, the person who tends to leave late knows that they can also be hurt if they have to wait.
3. affects self image. For some people, waiting is a bit of a challenge where we need to appear interesting and offer a positive self-image while standing still because others have chosen to. You can smoke, look at your smartphone, strike calculated poses... A situation similar to the one that occurs when we go in an elevator with unknown people.

Some psychological conclusions

Definitely, for these people arriving early is not a positive thing, but a possibility that must be avoided. Therefore, they rule out the possibility of leaving a few minutes early (whether due to a conscious or unconscious decision), they only have the option of arriving exactly at the agreed time or later. And, since the “later” alternative is composed of more moments than the first option, it is the more likely of the two possibilities. Result: late arrivals, always.

So now you know: if you believe that one of these three reasons explains most of the cases in which you are late, the main thing is to recognize it and fight so that this is no longer the case. Just don't let it for tomorrow.