for it too!! It's odd but also common -- and incredible (in not such a good way). It has nothing to do with LA either. It happens everywhere. You know, Persian culture is not notorious for being on time but my family has always been pretty good. Start setting rules and if people do not show up, just leave. Respect your own time. Why should they be the ones to take their time and arrive when it suits them while you had to go through just as much effort to be there? Nothing will happen until you show that you won't put up with it. If your friends get upset, blame me and send them here! Together, we'll re-establish this good habit! Ah, I hope I am not late to read this article Seriously, I'm early to everything these days because I dislike keeping people waiting so much. That said, at least half of the people in my circle of friends and family are late. Occasionally, I understand perfectly, as I have had children, I have pets, I have elderly parents, and I have a husband with chronic health issues. Illnesses, big messes, and deaths happen -- but in these situations there is a telephone and it needs to be used to inform the one waiting of the situation. I've talked with the habitually late folks in my life, and I see now it is because their lives are out of control that they always run late. Too much clutter,