Your best just got better: What are you waiting for? (Or...is it ok to wait for someone who is late?)

I was waiting to meet with someone recently. As the time neared for us to sit down over coffee and tea, my mobile rang. ³No Caller ID.² After a brief moment of consideration, I answered anyway.

Turns out the other person was unfamiliar with the place we were meeting, and needed me to clarify the directions from where they were, to where they wanted to be.

So, with 5 minutes until we were supposed to meet, and though she was about 15 minutes away, I gave the best directions I could; and then hung up the phone. Sitting there, I found myself going through two distinct thought processes:

I was surprised she was more prepared. Had she not looked up the directions on the internet? Had she not planned to leave extra time for the just-in-case event that there was a detour or other problem along the way?

How amazing in this culture of over-promising and under-delivering that she would pause, think about the ramifications, and call me regardless of the potential judgment I might cast her way.

Ultimately, the meeting was a huge success. I am proud that I was able to let the judgment and negative perception building go long enough to think with the smarter part of my mind!

(And, this experience strengthened my belief in and habit of pre-planning, making good on promises, and leaving early for the next appointment ALL THE TIME.)