Boy Scout Troop 325 Scoutmaster Minute
March 10, 2009
Andy Duprey, Scoutmaster
Scouts, how do you feel about punctuality? I have thought about this a lot over the years. I am usually right on time for things, because I was raised to believe that "on time" is 15 minutes early, and on time is "late". I am often annoyed because I am somewhere on time, and find the people I am meeting are showing up 15 minutes late!
When I conduct job interviews for work, I often have the opportunity to ask "What do you think about punctuality." The answer is often something like "Well, I guess that is a good trait to have." I feel like saying "You thief, when you show up late and other people are waiting on you, you are stealing their time". Being late demonstrates a total lack of consideration for others and is one of the most discourteous things you can do
Being late is a habit. It comes from two habits, really. The first is underestimating the time it will take to finish what you are doing and get somewhere. The second is not considering the impact of your being late, on others. For example, I teach a remedial English and math class at work. This last week about a third of the students were 10 minutes late to class. We had a lot to cover that day, and went about 10 minutes over our stated ending time. The student were anxiously moving to get ready to leave, and grumbling because I was holding them over, but if those who had made us start late, had been considerate of the class as a whole, we would have ended on time.
Scouts, I think being late is a habit that people get into and then rationalize it with all kinds of excuses. Learn now to be punctual. Plan ahead. Take meals, homework and traffic into consideration when planning how long you will need to get to where you are going safely and on time.
Be punctual.
Thank you and good night scouts.