Even when the reason of being late is frivolous, placing compliance with the plan above enjoying life is telling of an attitude that doesn't seem healthy. A good plan is one which allows for smelling roses in the walk to the meeting (but then, Americans don't use walkways, do they?)

Scheduled meeting times enrage me to end, because it takes enjoyment out of my life. Very frequently, something unexpected happens near the time I have to be getting ready to leave to the meeting, but I have to say no to life instead and bow down to this stupid God of time.

I understand business meeting times. I understand showing up to class on time. I don't understand times for meeting up for pleasure (drinks, dinner, dates). I just don't.

I actually experienced this attitude twice recently and I couldn't really figure out why it put me off so much before reading this thread.

First situation was someone was supposed to come in for an interview but didn't show and then emailed 15 minutes after the scheduled start time saying she had a family emergency and got flustered on the way to the office and decided she needed to take care of other things instead of come to the interview. We have no idea what happened, but the other members of my team immediately concluded that she had blown her chance and we wouldn't be asking her back in because she wasn't "professional".

The second time was arguing about that situation where if I had meetings and a family emergency came up the last thing on my mind would be canceling the meetings when the other people in the conversation said the first thing they would do is cancel the meetings.

It's an interesting juxtaposition to be sure.