Singaporean's identity?

2 years ago, I was known to be a late-comer.
Late for school, late for meetings, late for classes - and thats no big deal.
I mean, everyone's late as well, so basically we don't really wait for one another but meet around the same time, just that its probably half to an hour after the actual meeting time we set.

Only a couple who would 'rigidly' stick to the actual timing set. Those are usually the ones who 'still don't get our culture'. Don't you get it? After staying here for so long?
'Meet at 3pm' means 'I'll see you around 3.30pm'
'I'm coming' means 'I'm just got up from bed'
'I'm on my way' means 'I'm walking to the bus stop'
'10 minutes more' means '10 minutes after you read the text'
'Reaching soon!' means I just go on the bus'
and when everything fails...
'The bus just don't seem to come' means 'Don't blame me. Not my fault.'

If you are early, you are deemed to be a cukoo. Not praised but laughed at. So whats the point of reaching so early when you know everyone is going to be late and you would probably be laughed at your ineptness in understanding the unwritten rule. Or rather, our culture.

Being brought up with such a 'exclusive' culture, I felt that it was pretty difficult to stomach that sense of punctuality when I was in NZ. Not that they are always punctual but they are not as late as we are. Gradually I trained (yes, it was a chore, probably to others its natural) to reach 5 minutes before the meeting time.

And coming back made me feel that Singaporeans should REALLY correct that bad habit of theirs. I've met up with a couple of friends and I was waiting most of the time. Waiting for a couple of minutes wouldn't be a problem but waiting for more than 15minutes in this insanely hot and humid place can be a pain. I realized that I'm in Singapore and its usual to wait so I waited and tried not to hurry the other person who is 'on my way there'. But this should not be our culture. This should not be our identity.

I reckon you are telling me that your time is more important than mine thats why you are late? There can be all kinds of reasons or rather excuses why people can be late:
Miss the bus.
Woke up late.
Rushing for work.
MRT too packed.
And the list goes on.

But do you know what is the root cause? I mean of course there are certain genuine reasons but I don't think there are that many to justify your late coming every single meeting.

I reckon the root cause is that you value your time more than others and that means we are just selfish.
If you genuinely want to be punctual, you can. You will sleep earlier to wake up earlier. You will wake up earlier to catch the earlier bus. You will do everything to make sure that you will be punctual. If you are dating a dashing guy or a glamour girl for the first time at 5pm. You probably get yourself prepared the night before, be at the meeting place at least 5 minutes before, prim and proper not sweaty from running. Its really up to you and how much more you value your time over others.

Alright, but lets say if you really are still late, apologize to the person who is waiting. Thats the least bit of courtesy and respect you can show to that person. Don't just say 'hey', 'lets go' kinda thing as if she/he is expected to wait for you.

I reckon thats not a culture we want to perpetuate. I'm still a Singaporean. That bad habit is still within me I must admit, but at least, try to change a lil.