If you’re running late, this is how long you have before you’re officially being rude

There’s a point at which you’ve taken it too far (Picture: Getty Images) We all have that friend who treats time as more of as ‘guideline’. You plan to meet at 7pm, but they rock up 15 minutes late, swearing that they had Tube trouble, they lost their keys or had to detour to use the loo. But when does late, become too late? According to a new survey, there’s a very specific line where tardiness officially goes from being a bit annoying, to total rudeness. Brits say that cut off point is at exactly 29 minutes. While most say turning up 15 minutes late is acceptable, once you edge towards that half an hour point, you’ve gone too far, and you’re not just late, you’re rude. Saying you’re ‘five minutes away’ is a lie we’ve all told (Picture: Shutterstock / Connect Images – Curated) And any later, and you might as well stay at home, with 26% of the 2,000 adults surveyed saying that showing up 60 minutes late is bang out of order. And the go-to fib that we tell when we know we’re running late? ‘I’m five minutes away’ is the tried and tested lie that 26% regularly tell. If you’re the one waiting around, the research by SVEDKA Vodka also found that a popular way of handling your late pals is by telling them an event starts earlier than it does, a tactic used by 32% of Brits. What the etiquette experts say Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. The ‘Queen of etiquette’ Laura Windsor says that being late is actually fine — up to a point. She says that ‘the ideal time to arrive to an event is between five and 15 minutes late’, indicating that the 29 minute rule is actually pretty generous. ‘You don’t want to appear early because the hostess may be doing last-minute preparations or getting ready. ‘But after an hour, don’t even bother turning up.’ Meanwhile, Rupert Wesson, of Debrett’s Etiquette Training, argues that how late you can be depends on what you’re actually showing up late for. He explains: ‘In a professional context, we would suggest that if you think you are four minutes early, you are in fact one minute late. ‘In a social setting, things are not quite so rigid. ‘Being a few minutes late and apologising is not rude. ‘Sometimes problems just crop up. We are often let down by the transport system, so if you are going to be late, send a message. ‘Or if, when you are planning a time with friends, and you think that the timings are tight, be sure to manage people’s expectations and let them know. ‘But not setting off until you know you will be late is self-deluding, dysfunctional and discourteous.’ Rupert also warns that when apologising for being late, don’t overdo it. He continues: ‘You should apologise for lateness even if it is not your fault, but don’t go into the tedious details of what happened. ‘This makes for a very dull conversation and rather defeats the object of meeting people. ‘Once you have arrived late, you should apologise and move on.’ What other social habits do Brits find unacceptable? Beyond poor punctuality, several other social habits are pushing people’s buttons, with 38% say checking your phone during a conversation is bad etiquette. Bringing an unannounced plus-one to a group night out rubs 26% up the wrong way, too. This is a habit that Laura Windsor, had some strong thoughts on. People don’t love uninvited guests. (Picture: Shutterstock / Lucky Business) ‘It is absolutely not acceptable to bring a plus-one unless you have been invited to do so,’ she says. Using the example of a dinner party, Laura explains: ‘Your host will have carefully planned the quantities of food, the seating arrangements and the table setting. ‘Add an unexpected guest to the mix and you risk upsetting that delicate balance. ‘There may not even be enough room at the table, meaning the carefully arranged place settings have to be disrupted.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: I had to interrupt sex to watch Practical Magic with my terrified boyfriend Arrow MORE: Martin Lewis reveals essential check before lending money to family or friends Arrow MORE: Cineworld members warn ‘dumb decision’ will cause brawling in the aisles