32. Punctuality — Part 2

I recently wrote about one of my biggest pet peeves — perennially late people. What I didn’t write about was the opposite spectrum — being absurdly early.

Growing up, we were always the first ones to arrive anywhere. Going to the movies involved literally being the first ones in the theatre. There were times we arrived to a matinee before the box office opened. We would arrive 30+ minutes before the start of the previews — and that timing applied to most any event. (As an aside, I have no idea how my mom was able to get me and my 2 brothers out of the house and everywhere so darn quick!!)

It wasn’t until I got older that I began to recognize my mother’s version of being “on time” was some ultra-version of punctuality. Her rationale always included the importance of being “on time” mixed with the constant anxiety of “what if” ie “what if the movie sells out?” Or “what if there is traffic?”

So now as an adult, I too, like to be on-time.

Which for me means, don’t be late, but no reason to arrive too early either.