The mistaken belief

The need for tolerance

Unpunctuality at dinners

Punctuality and confidence

Self-discipline and punctuality

Avoid anxiety by being punctual 1 There is the belief that, if you arrive at an appointment late, you will be considered important.This is a mistaken view.Being unpunctual, we are not respectful of others; we are interfering(扰乱)with another man's time.We must realise that keeping appointments or being punctual is a contract that is silently agreed and we are expected to respect this contract.It is only natural that we lose faith, trust and confidence in a person who is tardy(延迟的). 2 To be punctual one has to have self-discipline(自律), and the lack of it affects others.A school boy or girl is unpunctual because he or she does not have the necessary human virtue of self-discipline.It is also a mark of disrespect for a system or an institution.Unpunctual people seldom realise that their habit cause problems to others.A salesman who is not punctual may not make a sale if he arrives late for an appointment.If one is late for a job interview, it is not likely that he will get the job. 3 Being punctual, we can avoid anxiety.Imagine the anxiety if you do not want to be considered unpunctual.You will be anxious if you set out for a dinner late.The person who sets out late might be careless in driving.He will ignore traffic rules.A traffic jam, flat tyres, etc.can delay him further.Happy and calm is the man who takes all these possibilities into consideration and arrives at the appointment either early or on time. 4 Many of those who attend dinners are notorious(声名狼藉的)for unpunctuality.They ignore the appointed time and leave their homes only after the fixed time.They are indifferent to the inconvenience caused to others.If the self-centred guest arrives late, the nine others at the table set for ten will have to wait.The host is put in an unpleasant situation and this man seldom thinks of the inconvenience caused to all-the waiters, the management staff, etc.It is necessary for us to think of others and be considerate to them. 5 However, we cannot always be intolerant(无法容忍的)of tardiness, for ordinary living requires some tolerance.There can be a busy executive who fights to keep to his schedule.Such a person may be forgiven if he is late, but not those who are deliberately late to create impression. In modern society, punctuality is a necessary virtue.It is a recognition of the importance of other people.