Arrival times (poll) [Matthew's Journal]

Subject to slight variation if PT provision for the necessary route is badly aligned. I do try to arrive at or after X, and before Y.

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Well, that's only generally. Generally, I'd take it as meaning that I should try for X, but that if I'm a little late then it probably doesn't matter, but that after Y would be very bad. Before X may or may not be bad, depending on the situation.

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*nods*

That's very much how I see it.

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Me too, unless it's very formal drinks first, in which case I've been caught out before by having been expected to have been there AT x.

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Yes. I wanted a "a little after X" box, because there's a big difference in the times covered by "between X and Y"

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That's what I wanted too. I hovered between 'on the button of x' (button? dot!) and 'between x and y' for a while. I tend still to be pretty prompt although I'm not as early as I used to be!

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Well, I _aim_ at between X and Y, and generally arrive about 45 mins after that...

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I usually aim for about half way between X and Y, or half an hour before Y if the gap's enormous. In practise I usually turn up late anyway..

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Between X and Y with a bias towards the X end. Let the hosts know if you're going to be later than Y.

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Depends on the circumstances. When I write it for RPGs I mean show up at this time because we'll take half an hour faffing before we actually start. For parties I'd say between. For meetings I'd say X.

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Between X and Y, but how much towards X or towards Y that "between" is depends what the event is, how important it is, how non-negotiable the start time of Y is, etc.

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Between X and Y, but closer to X than Y e.g 7:30 for 8:00 I would aim to arrive around 7:40.

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But I wouldn't consider anyone who arrived at any point between the two times to be 'early' or 'late' .

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What I'd do is aim for on the button of X and not get stressed/aim to make up time if running a little late. So "when I turn up" will be between X and Y.

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We don't use the locution, I don't know what it means.

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That seems like a good reason to select "other" :-)

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:-)

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If it's for an invite I am sending out, I'd use "at Y" rather than "X for Y".

If I get an invite that says "X for Y" I'll probably show up at X and expect to stand around making small talk to other early arrivals.

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I would aim to turn up just after X, and due to faffing turn up just before Y. I like that sort of invitation because it's clearer :)

If I had complete control over when I arrived I'd arrive either one unit of time after X or before Y, depending if the buffer period looked like an interesting opportunity for conversation (eg. party, cinema meet) or merely a device top prevent lateness (eg. meeting and then moving on to foo at Y)

Turning up before X depends if I know the person; if not very well I'd avoid it, but if well I'd go and see if they needed any help...

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I was taught that arriving any time between X and Y is acceptable, but that as a matter of courtesy, close friends of the host should aim to arrive at or very shortly after X in order to offer any assistance which might be required, and others should aim to arrive halfway between the two times.

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Of course, it depends whether I'm going with Adrian or not... ;-)
On my own, probably around about X, with him, more like Y or a little after, unless I nag incessantly for an hour, in which case by the time we get there he doesn't want to talk to me any more ;-)

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NB I am weird and turn up for *everything* early, hence my answer to the poll.

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Usually just after X. Though it depends on 1. who is running the event (someone punctual or more laid back about times) and 2. how well I know where the event is. If I'm not sure, I leave myself huge time redundancies and get there early every time.

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Although that's more like 'attempt to get there for X, panic, after faff turn up almost at Y'.

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To qualify - between X and Y, but veering more towards X.

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I add that there is never any excuse whatsoever for arriving before X, because it is always possible to walk around the block a few times, and I fail to see how anyone could read such an invitation as suggesting that they might be welcome early.

I further add that invitations of this form seem to me to be ideal, because those of the form "X" are confusing. I know that I should arrive after X, but I'm not sure by what margin (although I would generally aim for 10 minutes).

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I'd never consider someone who arrived early unwelcome (supposing I was hosting), though they might have to watch me tidying up for a bit!

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Other: I aim for X, but usually hit between X and Y. Once upon a time, I used to be five minutes early for everything, but Cambridge has eventually worn me down :-)

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Matthew's Journal

Arrival times (poll)

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October