TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Tardiness has ripple effect across society
Tardiness is not only unprofessional and a blatant show of disrespect for others and their position
There are few human habits as infuriating as tardiness, that habit of being late or delaying arrival. Whatever the excuse, it conjures up an eclectic mix of emotions and is generally frowned upon by those affected by it. For most people, acute lateness is commonly regarded as a sign of disorganisation or, simply disrespect for others. Racist stereotypes associate tardiness with Africans who as a group are perceived to be inherently prone to being late, hence the advent of the pejorative term "African time". An analysis of the psychology of lateness offers insights into malfunctioning minds; the subject transcends race, class or gender. However, my experience with this subject thrusts me into a race-propelled spin, as I often struggle to understand why, as illustrated in my life, some people think it is a social, political or business faux pas to be or act on time. I am under no illusion that lateness is the preserve of black people. However, is it fair to posit that black people are...
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