A Misunderstanding Over Punctuality

Sarah, a meticulous planner, had arranged a meeting with her new client, Mr. Henderson, at 2:00 PM sharp. She arrived precisely on time, only to find Mr. Henderson's office empty. Annoyed, she called his assistant, who explained that in Mr. Henderson's culture, '2:00 PM' often meant 'sometime around 2:00 PM.' He valued relationship-building over strict adherence to schedules. Sarah, accustomed to the punctuality expected in her own business dealings, felt a surge of frustration. She had prepared a detailed presentation, and this casual attitude towards time felt disrespectful. However, Mr. Henderson eventually arrived, apologizing profusely for the delay. He explained that a previous meeting had run over. Over coffee, Sarah realized that her initial annoyance stemmed from a cultural misunderstanding. They discussed the project, and despite the initial hiccup, the meeting proved productive. Sarah learned a valuable lesson that day: punctuality, while important, isn't universally interpreted the same way.