The evaluation of people who are late is mostly negative.

"They are disorganized, distracted, rude, and inconsiderate... this is how they are often perceived."

The person who said this is Harriet Melotte, a cognitive behavioral therapist based in London.

"In fact, outside of my clinical counseling life, it's the people who are late that make me the angriest!"

However, not all latecomers are unplanned and inconsiderate.

Many want to make a good impression on friends, family, or bosses, and they are well aware of how their lateness can harm their relationships, reputation, career, and even finances. So, they often blame themselves.

In this way, 'people who cannot keep time' are actually suffering themselves. Yet, lateness still follows them like an unresolved homework assignment.

The reasons for being late are varied, but excuses are often unconvincing.

For unavoidable lateness, like being in an accident or suddenly falling ill, some understanding can be given.
But what about cases that are not like that?

Some people say it's because of their bold personality, or that they perform better under pressure. Others rationalize it by blaming their owl-like biological rhythm.

A teacher in London, Joanna (a pseudonym), says this.
"When a friend says, 'Come anytime after 7,' and I arrive at 8, they get mad and ask why I'm late. This shows we have different concepts of time."

In fact, being late may not always be solely the individual's fault. Experts say that people who are frequently late often share personality traits such as optimism, lack of self-control, anxiety, and a tendency to seek thrills.

Additionally, the way each person perceives time can differ.

In 2001, a study by Jeff Conte, a psychology professor at San Diego State University, divided participants into Type A (ambitious and competitive) and Type B (creative and contemplative) and had them estimate '1 minute' without a clock.

Type A felt that a minute had passed at around 58 seconds, while Type B felt it took a whopping 77 seconds.

This shows that the sense of time can vary greatly among individuals.

Before labeling someone who is late as 'rude' or 'lazy', how about trying to understand what is happening in their mind a little more?

Lateness can be a simple habit but can also result from psychological and physiological factors.

Of course, if lateness continues, it can lead to a loss of trust from those around them, but it's important to remember that it does not always reflect that person's character.