What Do You Do While Waiting For People?

[sun seeker]

I have a person in my life who is chronically late. That's what I'm doing right now, waiting for this person, and posting for something to do. For the second time today... sigh.

Besides attempting to set boundaries around how long I will wait, I'm looking for things to do while waiting that are good for filling up undefined amounts of time and are easily left at whatever point they've gotten to when said person shows up. Some kind of game that doesn't take a lot of concentration, maybe?

Or maybe posting things like this is just my way of passing the time.

 

[MariusNiemiec]

Looks like this person is insecure.

 

[sun seeker]

I wouldn't say that. Just very busy and not very organized.

 

[EveHarrington]

Next time you tell her you're getting together a half an hour before you actually are. On the off chance she gets there before you, claim that you wrote down the wrong time.

 

[ghotiff]

I meet these people in places that "I" like, somewhere that I would happily spend 30min there on my own anyway....once they arrive we then walk together to where we are actually going.

 

[Neverthesame]

Pace back and forth, smoking like a chimney.

 

[mary1979]

Next time you tell her you're getting together a half an hour before you actually are. On the off...

Hahah! We have to do this with my sister every single time we go out for dinner.
If we booked for 7, we tell her 6.

Sometimes we STILL arrive before her

 

[Ocean5]

Lived in a country once where everyone was late. It was normal. Then get apologizes with "you're an American, sorry." Just came to expect it. Video poker on phone is helpful, or another game.

 

[sun seeker]

Pacing, yes, that passes the time. (I don't smoke.)

This getting together is by phone. Yes, I think I will try telling her half an hour earlier than I intend. Then if she happens to be early, well, she can call me back.

I really need to think of things to do to pass the time that can be left at any point, though. Feels like it would decrease my stress level a lot. I start feeling resentful, and that isn't good for my health.

 

[RavenGirl]

I am always early, so I have a huge issue with this. I have a friend like this and we give her a fake time. We tell her 1 hour early since she's usually that amount of time late. It works for us, if it didn't I don't know if I'd be able to hang with her as I'd probably lose my mind. Lol

To me it's a respect issue, there needs to be mutual respect.

 

[scout86]

Kind of depends. Mostly I spend the time relaxing and being glad I'M not late. LOL Because I am, a lot. And I've taken so much flack for it over the years it really bothers me to be late. (I've found that anxiety doesn't make things happen any faster, but it seems like it should.)

My T is also late kind of a lot. He says it's an ADHD thing and that's most likely my problem as well. You get wrapped up in something and lose track of time. I know it bothers HIM to be late, so I spend the time waiting relaxing, so I'm sure he won't think I was worried about it because that would make him feel bad. (All of which is probably another therapy topic. LOL)

Pacing is good, because I feel better when I'm moving. Playing with the dogs, listening to the radio, doing the odds and ends of stuff I never seem to get around to otherwise.......

 

[Ocean5]

I hate being late. Always arrive early. Otherwise I get stressed-out.