Is it really Singapore culture to be late? Is it our right to be late? As interviews and polls has shown, Singaporeans who meet up would almost definitely have one or two friends being late. Is being late such a big issue? As one permanent resident noted, its so common people are late that, the greetings used could also be modified to "Hi, sorry, I'm late.", instead of "How do you do?" This might seem like a small problem to many, but it would pose future obstacles if Singapore hopes to be a hub in many areas like business or art, with "late" tightly attached to us.

Its like
the "Elegant French",
the "Opportunist American",
the "Innovative Japanese"
the "Eloquent British"
the "IT- Savvy Dutch"
the "Warm Taiwanese"
and the "Late Singaporean"

Lets hope it does not turn out this way, with our positive attributes being overshadowed. I guess its just not easy telling people that it is not okay to be late.
They just need to realize it. That it would mean disrespect for the host, and also delaying the event. If the appointment is with a person, every second being late would equate to every second lost by the other party. In the business world, this does not just mean late for lunch, but might also be loss of a business deal.

If put in the perspective of the entire world, this is indeed an unique culture. Other country simply don't do this. Sometimes, the problem does not lie with being late itself, but the attitude that is being shown when people are late. For example, if there is a ticketed performance or concert, late comers are tolerated, but can only be permitted entry at intervals of shows or at intermissions. Some have a special room screening live, while others allow circle entrance. The difference between local and the others, remarked a foreign performer, is that usually people would be frantically searching for their seats, but here, people seem proud that they are late. Audience should understand that paying for the show does not entitle the patron to be late. Being late, however, would most likely disrupt the show and might show disrespect for the artiste.

Late coming is taken so much for granted that if you are early, it would actually be surprising. Most people are late especially when they are meeting with their friends or if its one of those appointments not essential for their advancement in career or life.

Maybe being Singaporeans, we are just being pragmatic. Ranking certain things like careers over appointment with maybe a friend. Of course, I am also guilty of being late sometimes. Let's all try to be a better person and leave home or the office ten minutes early..