[jim_kaiser]

I'm always late for everything and I don't see what the fuss is about. FYI I'm a software engineer, in India. In software, there is a concept of a buffer period, which people learn to add to the estimates, because inevitably, things gets delayed. Maybe you need to recognize when to do this with people.

I don't know if you're some big shot CEO or someone for whom a few minutes is a loss in millions. I don't believe in living life being so worried about my time or others time. The only waste of time is doing a job and not hacking on something great. Here's a nice poem for you to sit back, take a deep breath and read.

LEISURE

What is the life, full of care we have no time to stand and stare. no time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, stream full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at beauty's glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.

By William Henry Davies.

[mandytolliver]

Every minute you're late is a minute in which YOU are relaxed but the OTHER person is wasting time waiting for you.

[santaragolabs]

It's a cultural difference. I'm sure that what happens in general French office culture is totally not acceptable in India. Example: in a lot of French companies each morning co-workers tend to greet each other by shaking hands (when it's male on male) or by giving the females two kisses on the cheek (when it's male on female or two females).

The same holds for how time and appointments are viewed in Germany, the Netherlands etc; different from other places.

Note; I haven't spend much time working in France but I did experienced it first-hand there; the described behavior might just not be as prevalent nowadays as I'm assuming it is though.

[enqk]

It's the normal way to greet yes. And appointment time culture is different in germany and in france, where it's a little bit more relaxed.