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Are people in your country often late for meetings?

It really depends on the place and occasion.

Location-wise, people are more punctual in big cities I think, whereas, from my experience at least, people in small towns and the countryside seem to always find themselves late for appointments, yet it’s often ignored and taken as normal, as the concept of being on time tends to be more relaxed in such places.

In terms of occasions though, generally, people try not to be late when it’s important, such as birthday parties, interviews, doctor appointments and the like. But for events of relatively minor importance, for instance, friend get-togethers, I think people usually take their time and, as a result, usually late, I think it’s called ‘fashionably late’.

• location-wise 在地点方面；地点的话
• punctual 准时的
• and the like 等等
• relatively 相对

Why are people often late for meetings or appointments?

I think there are two prime reasons for this phenomenon. It’s either because they consider certain meetings or appointments unimportant, or they simply lack time management skills.

When time is not planned properly, it is more likely that people will run late for important occasions such as meetings and appointments simply because they are rushed and can’t get organized.

• time management 时间管理
• run late 迟到
• rushed 匆忙

Do you always avoid being late?

I can’t say ‘always’, and it really is subject to the specific occasion. For time-demanding occasions such as interviews, exams, business meetings, classes, and doctor appointments though, I’m always on time.

• subject to 取决于

Do you think it’s important to be on time?

Yes, sure. I think it’s important to be punctual or prompt because it’s a way of showing respect for other people’s time. Other than that, being on time, or not, also reveals that one is reliable and can be trusted, or as may be the case, isn’t reliable. After all, nobody feels good about a person always running late.

• prompt 准时的
• reveals 展示；透露
• reliable 可靠的