# How long do you wait for someone before you leave? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2003, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285 "2003-03-01T01:40:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Siegfried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Siegfried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siegfried)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/41 "2003-03-03T01:00:32Z")
The first and only date I’ve ever had started with my companion for the evening arriving half an hour later than our meeting time. She’s a friend of mine, and she was coming straight from work dealing with typical Houston traffic. I just sat my butt down on a bench and waited for her. No biggie, really. Usually, I’ll wait about half an hour if I’m meeting a friend or coworker. After about fifteen minutes, I’ll give 'em a call to make sure they’re okay and haven’t forgotten. After about half an hour (and assuming I haven’t gotten a hold of them), I’ll leave and try to contact them later to see what was up. When it comes to meeting family members, however, I’ll wait a lot longer on them. When I’m meeting someone, I try to be early. While other people being late doesn’t bug me, I do get rather annoyed with myself when I’m late (and I don’t why that is either). If I am running more than about five minutes late, I’ll call ahead to warn them. ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/42 "2003-03-03T02:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by danceswithcats_ > That was supposed to be Chipmunk-dammit. I like Chimpmunk much better. I will now start using this in place of chimpmunk, at least until I forget. That should be a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/43 "2003-03-03T06:14:02Z")
You’ve covered all the bases. Unless someone went to the ER, he owes you a large sorry - if you want to talk to him again. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/44 "2003-03-03T23:01:40Z")
j.c., don’t really want to talk to him again, but I’m not going to be bitchy about it. I think, if he approaches me, I’m going to cut off any big discussion with, “Hey, no hard feelings. Bye.” That should cover it, no? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/45 "2003-03-04T01:56:30Z")
About half an hour, more for certain friends of mine. Less if I have other things to do that day and the person knows it. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2003, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/46 "2003-03-04T13:43:27Z")
My tolerance levels: 0 minutes for an interviewee. This is the one case where traffic is not an excuse. 10 minutes for anyone if it’s below 40 degrees or rainy where I’m standing. 10 minutes for the waitress to ask me if I want something to drink. 15 minutes for my hairdresser. 15 minutes for a first date. 20 minutes for any other casual date. 20 minutes for a doctor before I’ll complain to the receptionist. 30 minutes for a friend if I can’t get ahold of him/her on the cell. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285/47 "2003-03-04T15:32:15Z")
Depending on the importance of the person, I usually give one hour grace to strangers (!) to two hours for friends (!!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-wait-for-someone-before-you-leave/158285.md?page=2)