Tardiness

[Calluna]

I dont mind either way IF the person keeps in contact with me and lets me know!
If they just leave me waiting around for half an hour then I get cranky. Same if someones early. I dont mind if they tell me they might be early but dont just rock up early and expect me to be ready for you.

[JLeigh29]

Both can be equally annoying, depending on the occasion or person.

MIL took years to get that an hour or more early was NOT acceptable. She's got it down to 15 mins or so now...but we're always prepared.

I have a friend who's an hour or more late for EVERY occasion and never apologises, and it's getting a bit old.

But 10 or 15 mins seems to be the norm now....not that I agree, but, hey, it's not the end of the world. I generally am pretty easy going if its informal (play date, coffee catch up) but organised meals/special occasions should be more respected. I also make allowances for travel time - someone travelling a fair way is 'allowed' to be later without prejudice than someone who lives around the corner, iykwim.

Why can people make it on time (give or take 10 mins or so) to a restaurant lunch, but not to lunch at someone's place?

[Astrid]

Why can people make it on time (give or take 10 mins or so) to a restaurant lunch, but not to lunch at someone's place?

wow you are lucky I spend the first 15-20 minutes at restaurants waiting for people to turn up, often the last person to arrive is the person who made the booking. That has even happened at kids parties and then the staff keeping asking me questions, rather than the organising parents.

[Jellyfish]

Why can people make it on time (give or take 10 mins or so) to a restaurant lunch, but not to lunch at someone's place?

Because mingling outside of a restaurant is socially accepted so arriving early is no big deal. It is considered a bit weird outside a person's house and most have expressed they don't want you inside whilst they are still in prep mode so it is a bit harder to co-ordinate timing.