My brother is chronically late to everything — always with an excuse, usually some sort of transit woe. But during the pandemic, I have been annoyed to observe him arriving consistently 20 or 30 minutes late for my family’s Zoom gatherings. He thinks because it’s virtual, it’s no big deal. Do you agree?
During a period where nine occasions out of 10, the journey to a get-together consisted of simply turning on one’s webcam, it’s discouraging that certain individuals still can’t get their acts together — even when tired excuses such as “traffic was insane” are simply not applicable.
Although virtual meet-ups are not imbued with identical expectations to in-person ones, timeliness is still important. Because remote video calls are not designed for multiple conversations at once, the format works best when guests respectfully share mini updates as others attentively listen until it’s their turn. How tedious, therefore, when the monologues are over and you’re just about to wrap as a late-arrival pops in and says: “So tell me! How is everybody doing?”
If you were ever curious about what it would feel like to star in your own version of “Groundhog Day,” this may be it.
With pandemic restrictions easing across the country, opportunities for virtual tardiness may be less of an issue going forward. Which likely means you’ll be once again hearing all sorts of transit-themed excuses from your brother for his chronic lateness.
I’ve been having my dry cleaning done at the same place for almost seven years. Each time I drop off or pick up, I greet the person behind the counter in friendly fashion. The reply is typically a weak smile followed by the two-word question: “Last name?” After having spent I can’t tell you how much in this store, I am stunned they still don’t know my name. Should I just be happy they aren’t misplacing my dry cleaning and not worry about the lack of familiarity?
While this particular establishment seems to excel at making your clothes look fresh, it sounds like they could definitely use a refresher in making customers feel valued. And while we should cut them some slack for not remembering the names of every customer to walk through their door, mustering better than a weak smile should not be too much to ask. Nor should greeting you with an “Ah, yes. Mr. James! I’ll be right back with your laundry.”
Is this something worth losing your shirt over? Perhaps not. But it may be cause for finding a new dry cleaner — one who returns not just clothing that glows but a welcome that does also.
Mister Manners, Thomas P. Farley, is a nationally regarded expert who appears regularly in the media to discuss modern-day etiquette dilemmas. To be featured here, send your questions to info@whatmannersmost.com and follow Thomas on Facebook, Twitter, Clubhouse and Instagram. For more insights, subscribe to his podcast, “What Manners Most.”
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