It’s believed to be avoidance, rather than laziness, which causes late behaviour. This can stem from deeper underlying issues like anxiety and other mental health problems which make it difficult for people to get out the door each morning. Experts say that avoidance is a fear response, and fear is an incredibly powerful motivator—or in this case, a powerful obstacle to habitual punctuality.
On July 30th, 1921, the police arrived at a house in 73 Xingye road, French con session, Shanghai, being several hours late. 28 years later, the communist party took the country. If they’d arrived on time, they would’ve been able to arrest the entire communist party at the time when they were having their first congress, and the China today would be very different.
Many habits and behaviours are formed early in life, and are picked up from the home and family. When punctuality is not held as an important factor in the day to day, these thought processes can follow a child into their adult life and wreak havoc on their relationships and career. Inherited lateness is a common reason for tardiness in adults, as these childhood behaviours become second-nature as we age, and are therefore more difficult to break free from.
The Battle of Waterloo in 1815 was such a big defeat because the Prussians were late. If they had got to the field earlier, Napoleon would have seen he was outnumbered and made an orderly withdrawal. As it was, the French army was fully committed and badly mauled by the time Blucher arrived, and so retreat became a rout.
Another factor which may contribute to forming the habit of tardiness is the chase for adrenaline, which can be seen in those with overbooked schedules who thrive on the high of adrenaline that stems from running from obligation to obligation. Adrenaline can be an addictive high, and often those who engage in this form of habitual tardiness are doing so unintentionally, chasing the feeling that lateness gives them rather than gaining pleasure from the repercussions of tardiness. This can be a difficult habit to break, as it stems from a pleasure-seeking portion of the brain.
In 2018 was an incident on a Japanese train. It was described by a rail company spokesperson as “truly inexcusable”, prompted a flurry of high-level apologies and staff are now being trained to prevent it from happening again. The misdemeanor in question? The train departed from a station 25 seconds ahead of schedule.