294) Tardy to the Party

(Image from Teach For Us.)

I hate being late. Nothing gives me more anxiety than knowing someone is waiting for me. In New York I'm finding that it's much easier for me to be late. That is, it always takes longer than anticipated to get somewhere via cab, subway or on foot.

Here's a question for New Yorkers: Does NY cause more anxiety over lateness, or give us more leeway? Given that the city runs largely on public transportation, something we have no control over, does it cause higher anxiety (because of said lack of control), or give us more legitimate reasons to be late (again, because of no control).

For example, let's say you get stuck underground on the subway due to train traffic, or weather, whatever. Not only is there nothing you can do about it, but there's usually no way to communicate your situation to the outside world. That would seem like an uber stressful situation, especially when your destination is an important interview or first date. (Versus somewhere like LA, where even in gridlock traffic you feel like you have some semblance of control, and can usually give people a heads up.)

But the other side of the same coin is that knowing we can't do anything about it, people are generally more willing to accept lateness. No one at work bats an eye when employees who live out in Brooklyn come in later than the rest. It's understood that weather and the sheer distance one has to travel is the cause.

Just some thoughts I had today, as I was super late to dinner tonight. It was a stressful day at work, so being tardy definitely didn't help.