[usingpond]

Lateness is often considered rude because it shows you don't care about something. If this is a situation where that assumption is correct, then it's time to move on to a new job.

Late for meetings makes you a jerk. If you get your shit done and show up later than some arbitrary "start time" at work... your boss has a right to be like "c'mon dude" but not to penalize you. That's childish and petty, and another reason to move on.