The meaning of "just after 9"

What about if you're invited to someone's house? I reckon to arrive 5 minutes after the time stated, just to give the host(ess) time to take a breath. And I like my guests to do the same. More than 15 minutes late is rude in my book

It depends why the person is being vague, I think.

If they have an 8.00 appointment that is expected to last 30 minutes, and the journey to the meeting place is 30 minutes she might be hoping to be there for 9.00, but is allowing for the fact that the appointment might run late, so I would wait until she arrived. I would expect an update as soon as there was a reasonable ETA though.

If they are just asking for a bit of leeway because they can't be bothered to get ready on time, then I would allow 10 minutes or so before getting irritated. If I were waiting at home and we weren't going on somewhere time-specific I'd be less bothered than if we had, say, theatre tickets or a third party was expecting us and I was going to be late, too. If I were waiting outside I would probably head home (or on to where we were going) after ten minutes and text to say she should meet me there.

All the same, if traffic is involved it is not always possible to be precise, so again, much depends on the situation.

My DD would imagine it meant anything before 10 - he is late for everything, and nowadays exceptionally slow, so that could soon become anything before 11. He wouldn't care a jot about keeping me waiting. If I called him to hurry up he will say "just coming" which could mean he'll be there in 30 minutes.

I think it's a sign of ADHD but he pooh poohs that.

I hate lateness, so I'd probably give them until 9.15, and that would be it. You understand that delays can sometimes be inevitable, but if someone was running really late, I'd expect them to show me the courtesy of letting me know.

If you are early you are wasting your time, if you are late you are wasting mine.
I think just after nine should mean five or six minutes past the hour.

I always try to arrange a rendezvous in a bookshop or cafe or at least under cover with a seat.
Not a bus stop - ever

Baggs

I only hung about because it was an old colleague. She has been unreliable before. Never again!

I love this quote (sorry, can't remember where I found it):

"Early is on time; on time is late; late is unacceptable."

Of course it means a bit early, only just on time, etc.

I think I know her 😁

Baggs

I only hung about because it was an old colleague. She has been unreliable before. Never again!

I love this quote (sorry, can't remember where I found it):

"Early is on time; on time is late; late is unacceptable."

Of course it means a bit early, only just on time, etc.

I was going to say that if it was a hospital appointment then having an appointment for 9 am, getting there at 8.50 then seeing someone at 10 am is good going.

If it's a friend, then it's frustrating but I'd allow 5 minutes.
On the day you decide no, blow it, you'll be ready by 9.03, she's banging on the door at 8.58 wondering where you are!

It's equally frustrating to go to pick someone up, beep the horn (more than once) then sit outside their house for 10-15 minutes until they emerge.

argymargy

I would allow up to 9.15.

Me too.

I have often heard people say a bit after 9 which I suppose gives them a bit of leeway but I too would only expect that to mean 5 or 10 minutes at most so I d probably go by 9.15 unless it was a close friend who I knew was coming by public transport

To me, just after 9 means no later than ten past.

My friend was 1 minute late this morning and she couldn't apologise enough!

Anything under 10 minutes.

I would rather be early than late.
A few minutes after nine is ok.
9.15 is late,unless an explanation and apology to tell me they are on the way.
I wouldnt be a happy bunny.

“Just after” might be when the bus would arrive. I’d be fine for 20 minutes (traffic perhaps) but then I’d expect the courtesy of a call, or a text message.

A friend who I walk with says “1.30ish ok?”

And I say the same to her if I’m arranging it.

Sometimes we meet a little early, occasionally a few minutes later.

But if either of us were going to be more than 10 minutes later, we would message to let them know.

9.05

I've never heard of anyone arranging to meet someone just after whatever time. How odd. It's normally 'I'll see you at 9.10, 9.25' or whatever.

In my circle, before mobile phones, it was acceptable to wait half an hour but the excuse for lateness had to be good.

I suppose it does depend a bit on where you are meeting and why.

I agree 'just after 9' means up to 9.05 or 9.10 at a push.

Even a few minutes lateness without an apology is just rudeness.

Another colleague, when it became clear I was leaving, asked if I was going to message the latecomer. "That's on her", I said quietly, "for not turning up when she said she would."

There has been no apology.

Any time up until 0910 because
0915 would be quarter past nine ….

To a large extent I'd say if you were waiting outside, or somewhere public, that would be annoying.
If you were waiting to be picked up from home, then not so as you could potter about while you waited.

I only hung about because it was an old colleague. She has been unreliable before. Never again!

I love this quote (sorry, can't remember where I found it):

"Early is on time; on time is late; late is unacceptable."

Of course it means a bit early, only just on time, etc.

Lateness seems to be generally regarded now as just a normal part of a busy life. On the other hand, I don't think the possibility of being delayed should be taken as read when stating a particular time. It doesn't take much extra breath to say, "All being well, I'll be there as soon as I can after 9." At least that way you're warned.

Yes, up to 9.15 is acceptable, but certainly not 9.35 - 9.40. Did you have an appointment with my daughter ? 😂