We’ve all got that one friend . . . the one that never shows up on time and has no regard for any plans ever made. Most of the time they’ll show up 5 to 10 minutes late, but often they pretend like it’s not a big deal. You’ve tried talking to them, explaining to them that your time is important, however, it just never clicks. A lot of people would say to forget and leave people like this, however, there are a few tricks you can do to help them be on time.
1) Choose times that are less common.
People often get times and dates mixed up. “Dinner at 6” or “lunch at 12” is a phrase you probably hear multiple times per week. If you make the time something less common then your friends are likely to better remember it. “I’m cooking dinner, be there at 6:55” is just something you don’t hear every day.
2) Use Technology
Everyone in this day and age is already on their phone. Why not use it and a few apps to encourage promptness? There are quite a few apps out there that can aid in the making of plans, letting your friends know where you’ll be and what time.
The app Hopspot allows you to post your plans without all the other distractions. With this app they can see EXACTLY what the plan is, when to be there, and even get an Uber to the event. There’s no distractions . . . just plans. If you and your friends are using this there is absolutely no reason they should ever be late.
( Click here to download Hopspot for Apple here or Android )
3) Don’t come off as too desperate.
If you’re that friend that’s constantly bugging their friends about their whereabouts or if they’re going to be on time then they’re likely going to stop hanging out with you. No one likes to be blown up 10 times before a plan because it creates anxiety and will likely make them dread actually meeting up with you. Take it easy, tell them when, where, and send that simple reminder. If they’re not at the location on time that’s not your fault.
4) Start every event at the scheduled time.
This might seem a little harsh, however, it works over time. By consistently waiting for a tardy friend you are only reinforcing their bad behavior. When you start on time they will begin to get the point. After a few cold lunches, dinners, or having to order to-go plates they will get the point . . . you and your friends are no longer going to wait for them. There are exceptions, however, like if they do have a valid excuse or contact you letting you know how late they will be.
5) Send reminders and stress the importance of timeliness.
If dinner is at 6 then send your friends a reminder 2 hours before stressing the importance that they’re at the location on time. Don’t over do this, however, because it can start to become annoying (we’ll get into that later).
6) Create an incentive / or a punishment.
Let’s say you’re trying to get a great table at the bar for the game. This often requires your group of friends to arrive at the bar 30–40 minutes before the game. The reward is simple : if you’re the first one there to snag the table then your group should buy you a beer. The person to buy said beer? The last one to arrive. When there’s beer involved that will likely motivate any of your friends to arrive on time.
7) Make being tardy synonymous with your friend’s name.
This could be considered mean and backhanded, but it will always work. If your friend . . . let’s call him “Dave” is ALWAYS late and has shown no effort to get better at his timeliness, then refer to tardiness as “Dave Time”. After they get tired of being the subject of a joke they will likely get the point.
8) Just be honest and call them out.
This is probably the most upfront and easiest way to get them to be on time to certain events. Simply tell your friend that “it is extremely important to you that they are on time”. By making it personal and letting them know that it is important to you if they’re a good friend then they will be punctual.
