Good manners: what to do (and not do) in case of a delay to an appointment

Julien Moreau / Photo credits: Pixabay 21:00 pm, May 16, 2023

Forgetting a dinner, a doctor's appointment, a call with a collaborator... Situations that must have already happened to many of us. Still, being punctual is a sign of good education. "In codes of decorum, punctuality must be taught to children, from an early age. It's really part of the codes. It's the basics, it's the DNA that shows that you are well behaved, "says Jérémy Come, good manners columnist in the show Bienfait pour vous.

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Banning the "I apologize"

Codes of decorum dictate that we are on time, but sometimes we are late without being fully responsible for it. The worst excuse, and yet it is commonplace, is to say, "I apologize." When we arrive late, we often try to give practical reasons. "Yes, I'm sorry, I was stuck behind the garbage collectors' truck," one could say. But we must not apologize. "I apologize, it's forbidden," recalls Jeremy Come. It is recommended to kindly apologize for being late.

"We ask the other to excuse the way we arrive. And, it is up to the other to accept this apology. So a word of explanation is needed, but the problem is the lack of apology. Under the pretext that the delay is justified because of garbage collectors, for example, many people think that there is no need to apologize. It's a mistake," adds the columnist of the show Bienfait pour vous.

The quarter of an hour of politeness

Regarding the delay to a dinner, there is the principle of the quarter of an hour of politeness. It is appreciated to give 15 minutes to the people who receive you to allow them to finalize the preparations. If ever, your delay exceeds the quarter of an hour of politeness, it is recommended to send an SMS, do not call. "We do not call to disturb those who receive you. Because if you're late, there may be some who are on time. So the people who welcome you may be welcoming others," explains Jérémy Come.

If you forget to go to a meal, even if it remains a moment of solitude, there are several ways to apologize. If the meal is of a professional nature, do not look for a pretext and admit directly your mistake. It is necessary to propose other dates, and on this day, settling the bill of the meal will be the way to make you forgive. But if the meal was of a personal nature, then it will be necessary to send flowers.

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15 minutes early to a job interview

The quarter of an hour of politeness is recommended for meals, but it is necessary to arrive early in some cases. During a job interview, you must arrive 15 minutes before the appointment time to prove your motivation. At a gallant dinner, the person who invites must be present in advance.

"My advice to those who receive, if you know the faults of your friends, your guests, lie about the schedule. If someone is used to being late, you have to bring the time forward," concludes Jérémy Come.