I accept that I will have to wait at my doctor's surgery, as he always give every patient his full attention and you never have the feeling that he just wants you out - but this is France!
If I am much too early for a visit to a friend (except Juragran, she is used to me!) I wait in my car round the corner until the stated time.
When I was interviewing for staff, I took a dim view of any latecomers.
I am also able to gauge my time of arrival pretty well, even when I am driving several hundred miles. I once arrived at my sister's house in Manchester, having driven from Kent, at 11.55 a.m. I had told her I would probably arrive about noon. She had not started to put her make-up on or do her hair (an hour's job) and when I pointed out we would be late for lunch she said I had arrived early!
I must say she has improved a lot with age, and never misses her bus to town now.
My ex husband and I used to give parties and would put the time on the invitation, or when we gave it orally, at about 9 pm. We would have everything ready and then have to sit and wait until our guests rolled in at about 10 pm., having spent an hour in the pub before they came. I have no idea why they did this, as the alcohol always flowed freely at our parties.
Being on time is not hard - just give yourself about an hour longer than you think you are going to need to get ready or make the journey.