punctuality- when to make an issue of it?

[OriginalSnub]

Temper got the better of me today when I got tired of waiting around for the rest of the band to show up to practice. I showed up 15 minutes early and waited until everyone was 15 minutes late and then packed up and left. If this had been the first time they had been late to something I probably would have waited a little while longer but I'm getting tired of being the only person who is consistently on time.

So for those of you that has had this problem were you able to correct it? Should I issue an ultimatum like be on time or find another bass player?

 

[Rockmusician]

I have no patience for people who are always late. It shows a total lack of respect for the other person's time.

 

[Kael]

Honestly I would've given them a half hour before bailing. There are times when unexpected traffic happens. I realize they have shown a pattern of being late, so the traffic excuse is probably applicable here. Still I would have wanted to be completely in "the right" before taking off.

If you are a working act, I'd bring up the suggestion of docking a portion of peoples pay if they are late two times in a row.

 

[OriginalSnub]

Yeah maybe I should have given them 30 minutes but they all live and work no more than 10 minutes away while I live 40 minutes from where we practice and was early even with rush hour traffic.

 

[Pauler1976]

Doesn't everyone have cell phones these days? I would ask them to text or call or something if they are planning to be late in the future.

However, cronic lateness, is an illness that no amount of technology can cure...

 

[Jazz Ad]

Cell phones allowed people to be late a lot more.

 

[fhm555]

Cell phones allowed people to be late a lot more.

+

 

[dvh]

I'm chronically on time. I feel your pain. I would probably have waited a little longer. Musicians (and all artists) can be very tardy. No excuse, though...

 

[OriginalSnub]

well apparently I was given bad info on when practice was supposed to be. Still aggravating but I probably overreacted, at least now it seems like they are starting to understand that their chronic lateness is getting on my nerves.

 

[sandmangeck]

I tell the drummer who is always late, that practice is a half hour before it actually is. Works for me. The guitarist and I have an understanding

 

[onosson]

I am plagued by chronically late people. When it really gets to me, I start to slack off on my usual punctuality - and the usual result is that I am uncharacteristically late when it really matters. Sometimes you just can't win!

 

[Billnc]

When the downbeat is at a certain time be ready to play. Rehearsals should also have an end time.

 

[Stick_Player]

If you show up on time, you are late.

That's how I do it.

 

[0utlier]

My band had this problem at one time. The guitarist and vocalist felt they could show up whenever they felt like it. 10, 15, 30, or an even an hour late. After discussing the issue and it still not being corrected I simply told them their time is no more important than mine. I told them to give me a call when they could be respectful of my time and we'd see about getting in a room together again. Two weeks passed, they called me, and now everyone is on time. You gotta nip it in the bud.

 

[bluewine]

Depends on the type of band and where your at in life.

if it's just a bunch of guys getting together to jam, I could deal with it.

If your older guys with jobs, careers, families and your a working band and your rehearsing material for booked shows. Then time is tight and everyone should be early, not late.

 

[John Wentzien]

"When you're late....they're glad to see ya!" (Slink Rand..guitarist)


Needless to say I wasn't to happy about it!

 

[Stumbo]

Doesn't everyone have cell phones these days?

I would have called them before leaving.

Since there was a misunderstanding about the rehearsal time, I suggest you call them each time before you leave to rehearsal to get their eta.

 

[OOZMAN]

I showed up 15 minutes early and waited until everyone was 15 minutes late and then packed up and left. If this had been the first time they had been late to something I probably would have waited a little while longer but I'm getting tired of being the only person who is consistently on time.

Why don't you just be late as well? Set the pracs a bit earlier to compensate.

The result, as Charlie Sheen would say: WINNING.

 

[hudpucker]

I'd have given 'em a half hour or so as well. After all, we're talking about musicians....not a group exactly renowned for punctuality.

 

[glenb73]

I'd have given 'em a half hour or so as well. After all, we're talking about musicians....not a group exactly renowned for punctuality.

I'll take that a step further and say ALL humans are not renowned for punctuality LOL. Even at work, people always show up late for meetings, plus in social events when does anyone show up even close to the start time?