If you have been to an Indian birthday party and if you've been punctual, congratulations and sorry. Congratulations, because you've just entered the Limca book of records and sorry because you've nothing much to do other than to twiddling your thumbs or yup, gazing into your mobile screen.
We have a system in which punctuality is punished and unpunctuality, rewarded. Those who are on time have to wait for the unpunctual ones as games or performances can't start till the host has a full house.
People who are unpunctual get the best of both worlds as they don't miss a thing plus they get more time to get dressed or finish a few chores. Plus they look fresher while you've wilted like an unwatered flower during that wait time. In fact, if you are the last one, you have to wait the least! No doubt after a while, even punctual people switch categories.
The interesting part is that every mom struggles with the same issue when she is hosting a party. But all is forgotten when she is the guest.
How to put an end to this menace? It's very deep rooted and quite difficult to end but we have to start somewhere. My suggestions:
1. Keep the time realistic. Speak to friends to know when they can actually make it.
2. When giving an invite, mention the start as well as the end time.
3. Have some activities or games planned for punctual guests. Hand out prizes after late comers have arrived so that they know what they missed ;)
4. Declare a very appealing early bird prize. I always keep a prize for the one who arrived first. This creates quite a flutter and even the laggards are seen competing!
5. Don't forget to thank the punctual ones for their punctuality in thank you notes. This will encourage them to be punctual at your next party too.
The culture of unpunctuality is steeped so deep that even hosts don't take themselves seriously. A friend told me about a party where the hosts invited their guests at 6 pm. She reached on time only to find that even the hosts hadn't arrived. When they arrived after a while, my friend helped them set up and get ready! I wouldn't blame that friend to go late to parties after that!
Pull up your socks and banners, people! Unpunctuality is uncool.
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