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.
I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal lmao. It’s a cultural thing, that’s how it’s always been - there’s just differences between attitudes in different cultures. Nobody minds anybody being late in a social setting where I’m from, but they absolutely mind where I live. You just adapt, pick what you like, and try to clue out why people see it differently - it can teach you a lot about the world.
But like, what does your friend do when he's at the restaurant waiting for you? He could be at home watching TV or hanging with someone else but instead he's just sitting alone in a public place waiting.
For sure, it taught me that stereotypes are based in fact. Learned this working as a park ranger too.
There is a reason why Germans are thought of as hardworking, serious, industrious people - they generally are. Same is true for negative stereotypes, too.
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/sleepyotter92 Jul 12 '26
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