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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.:
I think it depends on the function/event.
If it's a catered thing or there's food timed then it is a bit disrespectful to be late.
If it's a casual function, then I'm rarely offended.
Jellyfish - I was only thinking about people being late, not early. I agree....at 15 mins before, I'd prob be about to jump in the shower! ;)
Yeah, I just mean if you are going to a restaurant you can aim to be early and not have to worry about what to do if you get there too early, you just mingle out the front. If you are aiming to get their early then you'll most likely be early or on time if something comes up. With a person's house you have to aim to be there on time so if something happens you don't expect it pushes you into late. It is just harder to time because being early is less forgiving at a person's house.:
For me, when I have been invited to something I aim to be about ten minutes early. I think 10mins is pretty good, gives time to find a car park, transport issues, gives me last minute time to fix makeup, find the place especially if I havent been there before etc. If I get there and have 10mins to spare, I'll just hang out in the car listening to music, a quick check out of the neighbourhood, or using up time before the designated meet up time. If I find Im going to be more than 5mins late I text to say so. Mostly I am 5mins early, for everything, appointments, meetups functions, anything, I would rather be 5mins early than 5mins late.
If I am hosting an event at home, then I aim to be ready at least half hour before it starts. But I have learnt that if I want to do something at 10:30am, I make the invite for 10am. Not a single one of my friends are ever early, or on time. So instead of getting frustrated by their lateness I just alter the time, much easier imo.