Is Being an Hour Late the New Normal?

Maybe it’s just me, but I have a question…

When did being almost an hour late become acceptable?

Today I had customers scheduled to come to my house at 4:00. Life happens—I get it. Traffic happens. Wrong turns happen. Five minutes? No big deal. Ten minutes? Still fine. Fifteen? We’ll survive.

But almost an hour?

What bothered me wasn’t even the fact that they were late. It was the complete lack of respect for someone else’s time. Every time I checked in, I got, “We’re almost there.” At one point they were driving to my old address… even though they’ve been to my new house before. If you’re not sure where you’re going, just ask! I promise I won’t bite.

The part that really got me? I had already rearranged my afternoon, and while they were running late, I texted them several times to let them know we’d have to keep the visit short because I had plans. I needed them to leave by 5:30.

They didn’t leave until after 6:00.

Then, while shopping, one of them kept asking for a discount.

Bless your heart.

If you’re almost an hour late, ignore the time I told you I had to leave, and then ask me to lower my prices… that’s probably not the best strategy.

Here’s the thing: I don’t think my time is more valuable than yours. I just think our time is equally valuable.

If you’re a hairstylist, would you be okay with a client strolling in an hour late? If you’re a doctor, a mechanic, a lawyer, or a business owner, would that be acceptable?

Probably not.

Respect goes both ways.

Money has never been worth sacrificing my peace. I’d rather lose a sale than keep inviting disrespect into my home. Life is way too short to spend it around people who don’t value your time.

So now I’m curious…

Am I the only one who thinks being an hour late—with no real explanation—is just plain rude?