Dear Editor,
The letter (‘Lateness has become a way of life’) by Rev Gideon Cecil in SN of July 14, is timely, and I have to add to it. In a nutshell, Rev Cecil is saying that we have embraced lateness. We also have a way of adding ‘ish’ to describe how we operate. So yes, the starting time, say for church, is nine in the morning, but we plan on being there ‘ninish.’
First, I think that many people are late because it makes them feel important, as we tend to attach business to lateness. The fact of the matter is that the man/woman, who cannot respect and keep time is someone who is most undisciplined and lackadaisical. He/she glories in the false assumption that people see him/her as someone of worth.
The same holds true for the one who keeps people waiting, while attending (after time too) to matters of snacking, cosmetics and social media, etc. By keeping others waiting, the person is entertaining the idea that ‘I am superior to you.’ It is a psychological disease and this fabricated sense of importance is far from reality. Many times, the person waiting sees right through the veneer and what is seen is nothing but a shallow and vain person.
Every day I listen to Sport News and the sportscaster is seldom on time, and he never apologizes for being late. Years ago, there was no room for interludes of music before sports news. Now it is the norm.
This late thing I heard is also a problem with our students. I was told that many times invigilators wait for students to show up before starting the examination. I cannot see how this will change. I just feel sorry for the few who have no choice but to put up with those who have them wasting their time.
Yours faithfully,
Matt Singh
