The Philippine Online Chronicles

Before Brando, James Dean, Paul Newman, et al (know them?) and their “mood” films there were the westerns or “oaters.” You know, those flicks crammed with OK Coral gunfights and saloon brawls that usually climaxed with whooping Apaches attacking a circle of wagons of trembling mothers and daughters and frightened fathers and sons. We held our breath although we knew what would happen next.

Appearing at first from a distance, the column of dust would turn into a cavalry of blue shirts charging with their sabers glinting in the sun, accompanied by horns blaring and led by a drawling John Wayne. The Apaches would be driven away and the day would be saved. Right on time. Not a second late.

Of course, am speaking of reel-life situations. In real-life happenings, alas, the reverse is true. Nobody comes on time. Everybody comes in late.

Francis J. Kong, leadership guru, in his column Business Matters (Beyond the Bottom Line) Philippine Star, September 17, 2011) wrote of an episode where the boss was upset because his assistant came late on a morning he had an important meeting. Asked why he was late, the assistant answered: “Sir, I was so afraid because the boy following me walked slowly.”

Bright excuse but Francis Kong said it was still in the league of typical “I-am-late-because” the traffic was terrible; My alarm clock did not work, or There was an emergency. Add to the list the following: I forgot! Di ba our meeting for tomorrow pa! The wife didn't wake me early. 'day the katulong forgot to iron my fav shirt!

Us Pinoys are famous (notorious is more like it) for being late. Late for a job interview. Late going to classes.Late reporting to office. Late attending a meeting. Late even for our wedding. Late on a date. Late for an appointment. Late for everything that we are committed to.

Because we were late we didn't get to be interviewed and lost the opportunity to land a job; we missed important subjects discussed in class and flunked the subsequent test; we lagged on our job and was bypassed for promotions; we missed important matters taken up in the meeting; the soon-to-be-wed, red in the face, packed up and left; our date, miffed and fuming over a cold dinner, walked off with the guy next table...

Being tardy is a “sign of disrespect.” By being late for a meeting or date “you are (purposedly or not) saying through your actions that your friend's, co-worker's or teacher's time is not valuable to you.” As you may have things to do on your time, so are they who could have done laundry, or checked emails and other things but “they choose to meet with you instead. Time with you is more important to them then those other tasks. But what does their time mean to you?”

It is a rare bird who “understands” your tardiness and may even compensate for your always arriving late by telling you “a party starts ½ hour before it really does... or to come 15 or 30 minutes before the understanding friend intend to arrive himself-herself.

Arriving at a meeting, date or appointment on time means honoring your word to do so. To act otherwise not only hurt others but “hurt your character as well.”

To “re-instill punctuality,” the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have launched “Juan Time,” a project that “aims to promote the nationwide use of PST or Philippine Standard Time (hence, “Juan Time” a word play on “One Time” and “Juan” being the common name for Filipinos) and synchronizing with the PST.

“Juan Time” is expected to do away with “Filipino Time” which describes the Filipinos' penchant for starting, or arriving at, events some 15 or 20 minutes later than the set time.” and which has been “pulling back the country in terms of lost productivity”

“Juan Time,” as with other smart-sounding project names, could be heading into an “afterthought,” as all around us, we still see people bite their lips, shake their heads, tap their fingers on tabletops, their blood pressures rising as they wait, wait, wait... while those they are waiting for are taking their sweet time, and primping themselves up for a dramatic entrance which, according to the wise Francis Kong, only “makes them look dramatically irresponsible.”

Sources:

Business Matters (Beyond the Bottom Line), Francis J. Kong, Philippine Star, September 17, 2011

http/www.professorshouse.com/Relationships/General/Articles/Being-Tardy-A-Sign-of-Disrespect

Manila Bulletin, “Juan Time” launched....” September 27, 2011

Photo: “Err Slash Wrist.” by Reuel Mark Delez, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved