People are happier to wait for ten minutes, knowing that you will be late rather than waiting for five minutes of uncertainty. The reason for this is that people are able to adjust their expectations, even if it’s not desirable, it’s acceptable.
Ben learned this lesson through experience. Please enjoy his story.
Ben’s story.
Ben was known for his punctuality, but one summer evening, an unexpected work emergency delayed him. He had planned to meet his friends at their favourite coffee shop at 7:00 p.m., but as the clock ticked closer to their meeting time, Ben realised he wouldn’t make it.
He quickly sent a text to the group chat: *”Hey everyone, I’m running late. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Sorry for the delay!”*
On the other side of town, his friends sat around a cosy corner table. When they read Ben’s message, they nodded and continued chatting. They knew exactly when he’d arrive; so they ordered their drinks and settled in, using the extra time to catch up on each other’s lives. The conversation flowed naturally, and the anticipation of Ben’s arrival became just another part of the evening.
Meanwhile, Ben navigated through the evening traffic, relieved that he had informed his friends. Despite the delay, he knew they wouldn’t be upset. He felt less stressed knowing they were prepared for his late arrival.
When Ben finally walked into the café, fifteen minutes late, he was greeted with smiles and a warm cup of coffee waiting for him. “There he is!” one of his friends exclaimed. They had timed their conversation perfectly, knowing exactly when he would arrive. Ben apologised again, but his friends brushed it off. “No worries, Ben. We knew you’d be here soon.”
The evening continued seamlessly. The brief delay was barely a hiccup in their plans.
Contrast this with another evening a few weeks prior. Ben had been stuck in traffic, unsure of when he would arrive. He hadn’t sent a message because he wasn’t certain if the delay would be short or long. His friends, sitting at the same table in the same café, exchanged glances as they watched the door.
Five minutes passed, then ten. They grew quiet, their conversations tapering off as they kept one eye on the entrance. Each minute of waiting felt longer than the last, and a subtle frustration began to creep in. The uncertainty of not knowing when Ben would arrive left them unsettled, unable to relax into the evening.
When Ben finally burst through the door, thirteen minutes late, he was met with strained smiles and an awkward silence. He apologised, but the evening had already been tinged with an unease that lingered throughout their time together.
Reflecting on these two evenings, Ben realised the importance of managing expectations. His friends were happier to wait longer when they knew exactly how long the wait would be, rather than dealing with the anxiety of uncertainty. From that point on, Ben made it a point to always communicate delays, no matter how minor, understanding that people, like himself, valued the certainty of knowing what to expect—even if it meant waiting a little longer.
P.S. Never underestimate the power of good communications.
