At George Washington’s Mount Vernon, dinner was at three o’clock, and at two on Sundays. Guests who chose to dine with the family were expected to appear within fifteen minutes of the dinner bell. Washington reportedly allowed a five-minute grace period.
A story told about Washington has him explain to late guests: “I have a cook who never asks whether the company has come, but whether the hour has come.” The story appears without a source, and it may be apocryphal.
Evite, the online invitation service, advises dinner guests to arrive “within 15 minutes of the start time.” For cocktail parties and other large parties, “your arrival is more flexible.” For weddings, graduations and funerals, the advice changes: “Always be on time and if possible, 15 minutes early.”
A guest who is late should “send the host a quick text so they know.”
In 2013 a team led by Steven Rogelberg of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte published a study of lateness to meetings. They surveyed 195 employees in the southeastern United States about more than 300 meetings. Latecomers left others “feeling disrespected, upset, frustrated, and disappointed.” They also saw the late person as rude.
The participants said they themselves were late to meetings 5 percent of the time. The same study found that 37 percent of meetings started late.
In the U.S. military, an unwritten rule says to arrive 15 minutes before the stated time. A common motto is “15 minutes early is on time, and on time means that you’re late.”
When a senior officer is involved, the rule can double: “15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior.”
Vince Lombardi, the coach of the Green Bay Packers, expected his players to be 15 minutes early for practices and meetings.
In 2012 a new clock went up at Lambeau Field, the Packers’ stadium. It faces Lombardi Avenue and is always 15 minutes fast. In Green Bay this is known as Lombardi Time. At the Hotel Northland in Green Bay, the clock behind the front desk is also 15 minutes fast.
The saying “Early is on time. On time is late” is often attributed to Lombardi, but without a source.
I’m running ten minutes late. I’m running behind. — The warning that comes before the lateness.
Go ahead and start without me. — Do not wait for me.
Be there in five. — I will arrive in five minutes.
Nine sharp. Nine on the dot. — Exactly at nine, not a minute later.
Fashionably late. — Late to a party, and acceptable.