Irish people and time keeping...

Biedronka · 03-11-2011 5:24pm #1

So, why is this so difficult for most of you? It really drives me crazy -almost every single person I make appointment with is not on time!
People who provide any kind of service and coming to my house, to fix something etc -I try to make appointment with them and I hear -
between 4-6.. WHAT>??? Are you kiding?I am not going to sit all afternoon and wait for you -forget!
This happens all over again
-with delivery man, plumbers, electricians, babysitter.
I thought its recesion and people should really care about their customers, but no -they just dont care, there are busy, they alway have exuse!
From now on I will not let in anybody who is over 5 minutes late, thats it. :mad:

hondasam · 03-11-2011 5:25pm

Biedronka wrote: »

So, why is this so difficult for most of you? It really drives me crazy -almost every single person I make appointment with is not on time!
People who provide any kind of service and coming to my house, to fix something etc -I try to make appointment with them and I hear -
between 4-6.. WHAT>??? Are you kiding?I am not going to sit all afternoon and wait for you -forget!
This happens all over again
-with delivery man, plumbers, electricians, babysitter.
I thought its recesion and people should really care about their customers, but no -they just dont care, there are busy, they alway have exuse!
From now on I will not let in anybody who is over 5 minutes late, thats it. :mad:

You could move if you are that unhappy with Irish people.

Vicxas · 03-11-2011 5:25pm

Sucks to be you.

CreepingDeath · 03-11-2011 5:27pm

Biedronka wrote: »

So, why is this so difficult for most of you?

If you want punctuality go to Germany or maybe Switzerland.

Dravokivich · 03-11-2011 5:27pm

Sorry, traffic is brutal, I'll be with ya with a better response later this evening.

kfallon · 03-11-2011 5:27pm

I am always on time!

The King of Moo · 03-11-2011 5:28pm

Biedronka wrote: »

So, why is this so difficult for most of you? It really drives me crazy -almost every single person I make appointment with is not on time!
People who provide any kind of service and coming to my house, to fix something etc -I try to make appointment with them and I hear -
between 4-6.. WHAT>??? Are you kiding?I am not going to sit all afternoon and wait for you -forget!
This happens all over again
-with delivery man, plumbers, electricians, babysitter.
I thought its recesion and people should really care about their customers, but no -they just dont care, there are busy, they alway have exuse!
From now on I will not let in anybody who is over 5 minutes late, thats it. :mad:

That happens in a lot of other countries.

It's the exact same in the U.K and Italy (among others), and the Spanish "Mañana" culture is famous.

Snakeblood · 03-11-2011 5:28pm

hondasam wrote: »

You could move if you are that unhappy with Irish people.

It might not be the only trait of Irish people there is.

PCPhoto · 03-11-2011 5:29pm

you must remember people do not work to your schedule ...they work to a schedule.

if someone lets say a plumber tells you he/she will be out to your place at 4pm .... but gets a flat tyre en route or is delayed by traffic or heaven forbid they have to work late at a previous job.

do you give out to them .... if they give you an approximate time they are telling you they will try to be there for 4ish ...but because traffic might be heavy or the previous job might finish late ...they may not make it till 5 ..or 6pm

are you going to be disappointed if they turn up at 4pm ?

Biedronka · 03-11-2011 5:29pm

Vicxas wrote: »

Sucks to be you.

Sucks to be ignorant

Ellis Dee · 03-11-2011 5:29pm

Time is relative. Einstein knew that - and he wasn't even Irish.:):):)

noworries · 03-11-2011 5:30pm

So you come and moan about it in AH instead of complaining to the Service Provider- learning fast our customs this one is.

Now, tomorrow at 2pm, phone Joe... you should then be ready for your Irish passport by about 5pm.

Welcome to Ireland

Vicxas · 03-11-2011 5:30pm

Biedronka wrote: »

Sucks to be ignorant

Sucks to be impatient...

stupidusername · 03-11-2011 5:31pm

Vicxas wrote: »

Sucks to be impatient...

Sucks to be a straw

policarp · 03-11-2011 5:31pm

We are better at time keeping
than we are at book-keeping. . .

Biedronka · 03-11-2011 5:32pm

PCPhoto wrote: »

you must remember people do not work to your schedule ...they work to a schedule.

if someone lets say a plumber tells you he/she will be out to your place at 4pm .... but gets a flat tyre en route or is delayed by traffic or heaven forbid they have to work late at a previous job.

do you give out to them .... if they give you an approximate time they are telling you they will try to be there for 4ish ...but because traffic might be heavy or the previous job might finish late ...they may not make it till 5 ..or 6pm

are you going to be disappointed if they turn up at 4pm ?

-yeah, everyone gets a flat tyre here all the time. I am busy too and I expect people to recpect my time like I do. I am never late, when I say I will be somewhere at some time, I am. Unless I dont don't know, there is fire or some emergency.
IMO this is just lack of respect and its not professional at all!

OneArt · 03-11-2011 5:33pm

CreepingDeath wrote: »

If you want punctuality go to Germany or maybe Switzerland.

It's lies, I tell you. Well in the city I live in.

noworries · 03-11-2011 5:34pm

where you from dude,,,
I keep reading your posts in a mad russian accent for some reason or like the count from Sesame Street.

Snakeblood · 03-11-2011 5:34pm

Biedronka wrote: »

-yeah, everyone gets a flat tyre here all the time. I am busy too and I expect people to recpect my time like I do. I am never late, when I say I will be somewhere at some time, I am. Unless I dont don't know, there is fire or some emergency.
IMO this is just lack of respect and its not professional at all!

I'm inclined to agree. I like to be on time for things, and I like other people to be too. What's the point of making appointments if they're not actually appointments but a rough guide to what day the person might arrive.

N.B. Spanish and Italians from my experience just don't give a **** when they're supposed to be somewhere, much worse than Irish.

billybudd · 03-11-2011 5:34pm

Its people and not nationality.

Dravokivich · 03-11-2011 5:34pm

stupidusername wrote: »

Sucks to be a straw

Unless you want bubbles.

Eroticfishcake · 03-11-2011 5:35pm

If they say they are going to be there between 4 and 6, they are not late. You just don't like the timeframe they've given. Not everyone can revolve around you.

smash · 03-11-2011 5:35pm

We're not late... it's just that times moves to fast for us!

Conall Cernach · 03-11-2011 5:35pm

For business and stuff like that (e.g. delivery guy who says it'll be there at 9am) it annoys me too. But for mates ("I'll see you at 9") it doesn't bother me that they might be half an hour or so late.

stupidusername · 03-11-2011 5:36pm

OP if you think 4-6 is bad,UPC do slots of 9-1 or 1-6. I got 1-6 and left work early to get home for it,it was the day Obama was here,and I was two hours getting from work to home,yer man was early and had to leave before I could get there

Superbus · 03-11-2011 5:36pm

Maybe you're just really early.

hondasam · 03-11-2011 5:37pm

Snakeblood wrote: »

It might not be the only trait of Irish people there is.

what are you saying here?

kfallon · 03-11-2011 5:37pm

stupidusername wrote: »

OP if you think 4-6 is bad,UPC do slots of 9-1 or 1-6. I got 1-6 and left work early to get home for it,it was the day Obama was here,and I was two hours getting from work to home,yer man was early and had to leave before I could get there

As a matter of interest is there ever a story about UPC that has a happy ending???

Johro · 03-11-2011 5:39pm

Biedronka wrote: »

So, why is this so difficult for most of you? It really drives me crazy -almost every single person I make appointment with is not on time!
People who provide any kind of service and coming to my house, to fix something etc -I try to make appointment with them and I hear -
between 4-6.. WHAT>??? Are you kiding?I am not going to sit all afternoon and wait for you -forget!
This happens all over again
-with delivery man, plumbers, electricians, babysitter.
I thought its recesion and people should really care about their customers, but no -they just dont care, there are busy, they alway have exuse!
From now on I will not let in anybody who is over 5 minutes late, thats it. :mad:

I'm from Holland and if a tradesman is late for an appointment he can expect a fairly frosty reception. It's pretty common here alright for people to be late, or not turn up at all, I've kinda got used to it now. One guy asked me 'what day suits you?', I said 'any day but thursday', and he turned up on thursday while I was out. :rolleyes:
I think a lot of people say they'll be out to ya when they know they might not make it coz they don't want to turn down work. It would probably be fairer to people if instead of saying 'sure, I'll be there first thing tomorrow', for them to say 'sorry but I'm up to my eyes at the moment, it'll have to be next week', and then keep the appointment.

connundrum · 03-11-2011 5:39pm

If I concentrated on being on time the whole time, I'd get nothing done sure!

stupidusername · 03-11-2011 5:39pm

kfallon wrote: »

As a matter of interest is there ever a story about UPC that has a happy ending???

He came back the next day,and was really nice and fixed as much as he could. Happy enough for ya?

Sooopie · 03-11-2011 5:40pm

kfallon wrote: »

As a matter of interest is there ever a story about UPC that has a happy ending???

When I got my appointment for a Sat between 9 - 1 - he rang & told me he'd be there at 10AM

Sorted - I haz a happy camper

policarp · 03-11-2011 5:40pm

noworries wrote: »

where you from dude,,,
I keep reading your posts in a mad russian accent for some reason or like the count from Sesame Street.

Biedronka is polish for Ladybug. . .

Sooopie · 03-11-2011 5:41pm

policarp wrote: »

Biedronka is polish for Ladybug. . .

certainly wasn't happy

i have yet to meet a happy smiley polish person

*generalise.com*

Snakeblood · 03-11-2011 5:42pm

hondasam wrote: »

what are you saying here?

I'm saying that saying essentially 'If you don't like it you can leave' to a foreigner is rude, and I was alluding to the possibility that if one has a problem with one aspect of a country or culture, it doesn't mean one disapproves of the whole thing. Much like Profitius's statement about how gullible we all are in another thread, but you didn't feel bothered to tell someone to leave the country until you were sure the person you were talking to was foreign.

Biedronka · 03-11-2011 5:44pm

billybudd wrote: »

Its people and not nationality.

You are right, but the about people who are very late here is ridiculous.

kfallon · 03-11-2011 5:45pm

stupidusername wrote: »

He came back the next day,and was really nice and fixed as much as he could. Happy enough for ya?

Sooopie wrote: »

When I got my appointment for a Sat between 9 - 1 - he rang & told me he'd be there at 10AM

Sorted - I haz a happy camper

My faith in humanity has been restored

kfallon · 03-11-2011 5:45pm

Johro wrote: »

I'm from Holland and if a tradesman is late for an appointment he can expect a fairly frosty reception. It's pretty common here alright for people to be late, or not turn up at all, I've kinda got used to it now. One guy asked me 'what day suits you?', I said 'any day but thursday', and he turned up on thursday while I was out. :rolleyes:
I think a lot of people say they'll be out to ya when they know they might not make it coz they don't want to turn down work. It would probably be fairer to people if instead of saying 'sure, I'll be there first thing tomorrow', for them to say 'sorry but I'm up to my eyes at the moment, it'll have to be next week', and then keep the appointment.

Heeheehee.....you said 'tradesman' :pac:

BASHIR · 03-11-2011 5:45pm

Ha ya like when theres a party on at 9, no one arrives til 10ish anyway. We can't even be punctual when we want to be somewhere.

Biedronka · 03-11-2011 5:45pm

policarp wrote: »

Biedronka is polish for Ladybug. . .

-ehhm, its ladybird

Johro · 03-11-2011 5:47pm

kfallon wrote: »

Heeheehee.....you said 'tradesman' :pac:

Yup. You were right to pull me up on that one. Apologies.

binxeo · 03-11-2011 5:47pm

This drives me mad also. If I say a time I mean a time. What annoys me even more about people being late is them not having the decency to text or call to let you know they will be late. I was looking after a child for a few weeks to help out a friend and I was told these are my hours I will be dropping of picking up the child at these times.....in the 6wks I was looking after the kid the parents never pick him up on time once. They would be up to 40mins late in the evening and when I would try to ring the phones would ring out. It is just so inconsiderate, I was providing a service not to mention doing them a favour and got such little respect in return. I won't do it ever again.

@OP. I totally get where you are coming from. People just don't care, even if you are paying them for their time. :mad:

Aishae · 03-11-2011 5:51pm

Funny I see this today. I was only talking to a friend about her landlord that never turns up when he says he will an in fact often doesnt turn up at all. Same issued with the heating guys.
Were both Irish. And hate that. What's wrong with being pissed that you have to stay home and take a pay-hit day off work to be home in HOPES they'll turn up when they say they will?

Iwasfrozen · 03-11-2011 5:54pm

kfallon wrote:

Heeheehee.....you said 'tradesman' :pac:

Johro wrote: »

Yup. You were right to pull me up on that one. Apologies.

Am i missing something here?

Biedronka · 03-11-2011 5:54pm

binxeo wrote: »

@OP. I totally get where you are coming from. People just don't care, even if you are paying them for their time. :mad:

-and if they won't change their attitude they wil ever get out of recession!

Seriously, maybe I was just unlucky with people lately, but I am just mad at this stage. One guy was supposed to fix the gas boiler and he told me he will come on Tuesday at 5. He came at 5.40 and said he won't be able to fix this that day, so we agreed he will come at the same time next day.
He never came on Wednsday, but on Saturday moring at 9am and was ringing the bell like crazy when I came back home at 2 the night before!
Didn;t let him him, that was a joke!
Locksmith came 1.20h late - the same story, said its too late to do the job and told me he will come next day at 7. He called me at 7.20 and said his kid is sick, so he is not coming. Ridiculous!

Landlords are just the whole different story and I will not even start on this..

ps: I know there is probably MANY decent irish repairman who are always on time, but I wasn't lucky to meet eve one unfortunately.
When I called polish electrician , he wasn't even one minute late and he did job in 20 minutes and cleaned after.

ejmaztec · 03-11-2011 5:55pm

The unemployment figure wouldn't be as high if the job-hunters arrived for interviews before the interviewers went home.

Latchy · 03-11-2011 5:56pm

binxeo wrote: »

This drives me mad also. If I say a time I mean a time. What annoys me even more about people being late is them not having the decency to text or call to let you know they will be late.

Then when they do call up to explain or arrive (if at all ) they make it sound like they are doing you a favour ...when it's only what they were supposed to be doing anyway . I hear ya and it is pretty inconsiderate

cocoshovel · 03-11-2011 5:56pm

Its worst with the public transport. Bus supposed to arrive at 9:15, doesn't arrive until 9:45. Train supposed to arrive at 17:20, arrives at 17:35.
Ridiculous.

Bowlardo · 03-11-2011 5:58pm

I was in a team meeting a few last years where the team leader was going around to everyone doing the whole your not doing this right or what not.

Time keeping was as big issue at the time.... maura was late 9 times last month (if you logged in at 9:01 it was considered a "late")

Team leader: "Maura you had 9 lates last month. how come this keeps happen and what do you think you can do to prevent this happening again?"

Maura: "to be honest i have accepted that I am the type of person who is always going to be late and i think you will just have to accept that the way i am"

Team leader left speechless ...priceless......

al28283 · 03-11-2011 5:58pm

Would you rather the plumber/electrician/whatever leave your house with the job unfinished because he has another job scheduled? Or wiould you rather him finish the job and be a bit late to his next job?

Johro · 03-11-2011 6:00pm

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Am i missing something here?

Not really. I was being sarcastic. I should've used :rolleyes: rather than

.
I don't get it either, other than maybe the poster inferring there's no such thing as a 'tradesman' in Ireland.

Irish people and time keeping...

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