Monday, October 18, 2010

Cycle of escalating lateness.

When you are late*, secondary factors will combine to make you later. I formed this theory on the 400 bus, it is the perfect example. 

The 400 bus has a very long route. It goes everywhere. Uni, airport, two Westfields, a hospital. If it comes a little late, there are more people waiting at the bus stop. They take longer to get on, slowing the bus down slightly, and there will be more people at all the next bus stops. Full buses drive slower because they are heavier. It takes longer for people to get off, because the aisle fills up. People get off at the front instead of the back, because the aisle is blocked, which slows up the queue of people trying to get ON at the front. Every stop on the route ahead holds more people waiting for the late bus, instead of getting on the next bus. The lateness escalates, late upon late, late upon late.

* I just might rant that I find lateness extremely annoying both in me and in others. Habitual lateness is deeply inconsiderate, because making someone wait makes them feel as if you don't value them or their time. If you want to love others and show them that you value them, don't make them get up early and then sleep in yourself. Don't arrange for them to leave work on time and then stay back yourself. Don't tell them that you have set aside time to meet them and then cut a chunk off that time. Don't make them wait around on the street for 20 minutes while you're "on you way". It's not just slack, it's rude and unloving, and sometimes it makes me quite mad.

2 comments:

  1. Sorry Jess! I just get caught at work and I need to finish stuff. I apologise for being late.

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  2. Not thinking of you George! You are not a late person, you have the most trouble getting to KESC by 6.30 and you are nearly ALWAYS bang on time! I appreciate that a lot :)

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