Gloria wrote:

> On the other hand, my husband always wants to arrive at a party, dinner,
> etc. at the exact time stated on the invitation. We had friends who were
> always late coming to our house. When we arrived "on time" at their
> gatherings, we'd often find them in the shower or not even that far along
> yet. She'd look down her nose and say "Oh, yeah. You guys are always on
> time."
>
> It's hard to know what to do about that. Do you arrive on time but 1/2
> hour ahead of all the other guests, or do you arrive 15 minutes "late"
> when everyone else is getting there. Either choice can give a host the
> fits.

There's an old Far Side cartoon showing a towel-clad woman opening the front
door to greet a Neanderthal standing outside with a bouquet of flowers. The
caption is "Early Man."

I normally plan to show up right on time, but if I have any doubt about the
situation I'll call shortly before I arrive and say it looks like I'll be
there in a few minutes, but if I'm early, can I stop off along the way and
pick up anything they might have forgotten?

Bob