Last week Wednesday, I ordered some new kitchen appliances from Electroline and was told that they would be delivered on Friday.
I was amazed that on Thursday, they did call and confirm delivery on Friday at 2pm. I set aside the rest of Friday afternoon, never believing they would actually appear, but they did! Precisely at 2pm, the Electroline van came around the corner and I was greeted with a cheery “Good afternoon, we’re here to install your appliances.”
That made my day! It means that service and punctuality can be combined and delivered in Cyprus! It is a matter of good preparation and co-ordination. I’ve never accepted the phrase “Well, this is Cyprus!”
But, are you one of those who are always running late and then find yourself making excuses for it? What is it that makes you late? Leaving insufficient time? Unexpected traffic which you haven’t factored in? Or, do you just not care about keeping friends or business associates waiting…
As I’m one of those who hates being late, I wondered whether there was any link as to why some people are habitually late. There are quite a few reasons, but the most common was not wanting to be early! While many see it as a virtue, others don’t and believe it to be a waste of time. They don’t want to sit with nothing to do, and waiting also makes them feel awkward and uncomfortable. They also feel as if others are watching and judging, even if it isn’t true.
However, the cost – both fiscal and moral might make you reconsider! Wherever you look around, there are costs and penalties for being late. As a country, not implementing EU rules has garnered Cyprus numerous fines; institutions like banks have very high interest rates on loans not paid timeously; not getting back to the parking meter could result in a fine waiting on your windscreen and the list goes on and on.
Probably the worst cost though, is that of losing your friends. Friend A, who prefers to remain unnamed, said to me last week “Saskia, I can’t stand it anymore. Friend B just has no respect for me or my time. I left two sick children at home to come out and meet her for an hour because I’d promised, and she came after 40 minutes. It was just the last straw and I can’t put up with it any longer. It’s finally destroyed the friendship.”
Are you affected by friends or colleagues who are late? Leave your comments here!
