I got a call last night at about a quarter to 10 from a fellow who wanted to get rid of his dog. I had actually been talking with this family for a few days, had advised them I could list the dog on the rescue’s website, and if we didn’t get any response and it came down it I could set up a foster home for the dog.
So anyway, last night I get a call. The dog needs to go, now, it peed on the carpet again. Fine, I said I would meet them half way between their house and mine at a Tim Hortons, and then turn around and drive the hour and a half to the foster home. I asked them how long it would take him to get there, and he said 40 minutes. Fine, so I shall see you in 40 minutes I said.
I left the house at 10pm, and got to the Timmies at 10:30 (maybe I drive too fast). And I waited. And waited. I figured he was driving slowly. So I waited some more, until 11:30. At this point I was tired, I had a half an hour drive to get home, so I left, I figured he changed his mind or whatever.
Now I feel sort of guilty for not waiting longer, so my question to you folks is how long would you wait for someone you didn’t know before giving up on them?
I think 15 to 30 minutes is reasonable, depending on the distance to be traveled, how important it is that I meet the other person, etc. Any longer than that, too bad. I got better things to do. At the very least, I’d like to have the other person call me on my cell phone and let me know he’s going to be late. I understand that unexpected things can happen (weather, traffic, auto accident, road construction, etc.), so I am more forgiving when I know that there was a valid reason. For someone who is late for no valid reason and has no consideration for other people’s time, I can’t be forgiving for this at all, and thus I am not as willing to wait.
I think you gave this person more than enough time to arrive. Did you ever find out why he never showed?
It depends on the logistics and the importance of the meeting, but after 30 minutes and you haven’t called, reserve the right to amscray.
Now, if someone calls ahead and says “I’ll be late, here is my approximate ETA,” I’ll wait forever. If you call ahead, I don’t even think you’re technically late.
The warning point in your story might have been that buddy was either too stupid to train a dog not to piss on the carpet or, if it was a medical problem, too stupid and/or cheap to get it fixed, and willing to dump the problem on someone else. I wouldn’t expect him to give a crap about your time. (Good for you trying to help the dog tho.)
I still haven’t heard from him, so I’m not sure why he didn’t show. I am thinking his girlfriend (who seems to like the dog better than he) made him change his mind.
Oh, spoke too soon, just as I was typing this up I got a message from him, says last night didn’t work for them, but he would like to meet tonight. Well, he’s going to be driving the whole way this time. Yeesh.
Gee, how considerate of him. I vaguely remember that big, nasty thread as well. I just popped in to see if anyone was calling you anal yet. I’m pretty anal about it myself, but I’d have waited a long time since the dog was involved.
My update, I have the dog now. I had the owner drive most of the way, in case he changed his mind. Very nice dog too.
I can’t remember the thread from last year, but now I have to go and look for it.
How long would you have waited [d]Dung Beetle**? I felt bad about it later, and I have waited longer than that in the past, what do you think would be reasonable?
I always try and turn up at least 15 minutes early if I am meeting someone. Then I’ll wait half an hour after the appointed time. There could be a thousand pounds involved for all I care - I’m low on patience and life’s too short!
You’re doing someone a favour and you wait around until you are tired before gonig home? You’re a better man than I am. About 11 I would have thought, “He could be dead for all I know,” and I would have been gone.
If it were during the day I may sit around and read if I had no pressing engagements, but late at night is another matter.