Is Being Late Really That Big of a Deal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of being "late," exploring its definitions, interpretations, and cultural variations. Participants examine scenarios and references to illustrate the subjective nature of punctuality, including personal anecdotes and cultural norms.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that being "late" is relative and depends on context, as illustrated by different parental reactions to two teenagers arriving home late.
  • One participant references a scene from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" to emphasize the potential seriousness of being late, framing it as a threat.
  • Another participant notes that cultural differences significantly influence perceptions of punctuality, citing Brazilian norms where arriving 90-120 minutes late for lunch is common.
  • A participant humorously questions the etiquette of eating before a late-arriving friend in a cultural context, raising issues about expectations and explanations for lateness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of what being late means, with no consensus on a single definition or understanding. Cultural differences and personal experiences contribute to the ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the subjective nature of time and punctuality, dependence on cultural definitions, and the lack of a universal standard for what constitutes being late.

Pattielli
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Is it when I am not in time ?
Or is it that I am not able to get out of something anymore ?
Or is it when I am fully wired ?

What is it ?
 
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Pattielli said:
Is it when I am not in time ?
Or is it that I am not able to get out of something anymore ?
Or is it when I am fully wired ?

What is it ?


Well, we know that "late" is not on time. that is easy. is you are not on time, you are late. Really late is relative.

here is a scenario:

A.
sally, a teenager, went out with her friends at 7. She was susposed to be home at ten, but she didnt show up until 10:30. Her parents simply said she was late.

B.
mandi, also a teenager, went out with her friends at 7. She was susposed to be home at ten, but she also didnt show up until 10:30. Her parents said she was really late, and she was grounded.

It is all in interpretation.
 
thanks a lot,
 
Really late can best be illustrated by the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'm sure I'm getting the words wrong, but the gist of it is:

Slartibartfast: Hurry, or you will be late.
Arthur Dent: Late? Late for what?
Slartibartfast: You misunderstand. I mean late, as in "the late Arthur Dent". It is a bit of a threat you see.

Njorl

Njorl
 
Different cultures also have different views about what "late" is. In Brazil, for example, it's not uncommon to show up 90-120 minutes late for a lunch date!

- Warren
 
Njorl said:
Really late can best be illustrated by the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'm sure I'm getting the words wrong, but the gist of it is:

Slartibartfast: Hurry, or you will be late.
Arthur Dent: Late? Late for what?
Slartibartfast: You misunderstand. I mean late, as in "the late Arthur Dent". It is a bit of a threat you see.

Njorl

Njorl
I think it is dangerous...<<<smila>>>


Chroot,
For example, you and I have a lunch date, We are Brazillians, what you said, as I understood, I will have to wait for you around one and a half hour ? Am I allowed to eat first if I am really really hungry ? and does the late guy have to have any explanation then ?
it was lunchtime... <<<smiling>>>
 

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