6. Describe a time when you were late

 

6. Describe a time when you were late

-     When it was

-     why you were late

   -          how you felt about being late

 

 

I am a very punctual person and i rarely miss an appointment, but here i would like to talk about a time when i forgot an important appointment.

 

Last month, i had an appointment with the doctor, Actually my mother had a swollen gum. We had an appointment with the dentist at 11 am.

 

At that time my brother met an accident, he actually fell on the ground while catching a kite and got minor injuries, we had to rush him to the doctor to get tetanus injection. In this confusion and rush we forgot about appointment with the dentist.

 

We did not realize it was quarter past 11 and we were late for the dentist’s appointment, suddenly the receptionist from the dentist’s office called and we were able to reschedule the meeting.

 

Even though we missed the appointment we didn’t feel bad since my brother’s health was more important for us.

 

Most of the times we miss appointments when we are lazy or when we procrastinate but sometimes situation is such that priorities clash and we have to choose a priority which is more urgent and we should not feel baled to take care of more important things at first. All things considered this was time when I was late for something and I didn’t feel bad for it.

Follow-up questions

1. Are you ever late for anything?/ Are you a punctual person?

No, I am a very punctual person. I value time and am never late for anything, unless it is due to some unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances.

2. What excuses do you use when you are late?

I am usually not late for any meetings or appointments. However, if at all I am getting late due to an unavoidable circumstance, then I inform the person I am meeting, beforehand. I don’t make excuses. 

3 . Why are people often late for appointments or meeting?

I think its a problem with time management. For example, people often underestimate the time they need for something and they realise they need much more time when they start doing it. Moreover, many people don’t consider being a little late to be wrong.

4. Do you think people are born with time management skills or they can be taught?

I think time management is something we acquire over time. Its something we learn from our parents. If parents are punctual and strict on time, children also become punctual. Moreover, it also has a cultural aspect. For example, Japanese people are generally very punctual.

5. How would you teach your children time management?

Time management can be taught to children by helping them make a timetable and ensuring that they follow it. Also, children can learn easily from stories or movies, which teach them a lesson about the importance of time and managing it well. The parents are role models for children and they should set a good example for their children.

6. Do old people and young people manage time in a similar way?

No, old and young people do not manage their time the same way. Old people have more life experience and they understand the importance of time management better than the young generation. The young people may be too impulsive or impatient and may not understand the importance of planning ahead. Another difference is the way the younger generation manages time. They make more use of technology and the old people may use the traditional methods, like a timetable or writing down a list of tasks.