Always late

OMG, does anyone else have that one friend who's always late? Seriously, it's like their superpower is bending time! You tell them 7 PM, they show up at 7:30, casually strolling in like they're making a grand entrance. My group chat is constantly buzzing with messages about our perpetually tardy pal. Just last week, we were planning a brunch, and I swear, the first thing someone typed was, 'Okay, so for [Friend's Name], should we tell her the reservation is at 10:30 AM for an 11 AM start?' We were all laughing, but it's a real struggle sometimes, right? Honestly, the 'we in the group chat' aspect of dealing with a late friend is so real. It's where the harmless 'flaming her' happens. We're not being mean, it's just our way of coping and, let's be honest, getting a few laughs out of a frustrating situation. Someone will post a meme of a snail racing, or a clock melting like in a Salvador Dalí painting, and we all get it. It becomes an inside joke, a shared understanding that 'Friend X will be late, prepare accordingly.' What is a joke, really, if not a shared understanding of a common experience, exaggerated for comedic effect? We use humor to lighten the mood, because what else can you do? Sit there stewing? Nah, we prefer to send passive-aggressive (but loving!) GIFs. I think the funniest part is when someone inevitably says, 'Like, girl, ain’t you the pot calling the kettle black?' because let's be real, who among us hasn't been a little late once or twice? Or ten times? It’s a moment of collective guilt and solidarity. We tease her, but we also acknowledge that punctuality isn't everyone's strong suit, and sometimes life just happens. Traffic, a sudden urgent task, or just getting lost in a TikTok spiral – we've all been there. It just seems our friend lives there permanently! So, how do you handle your late friend without losing your mind or your friendship? My go-to strategy, which has been 'flaming her' with love, is to just factor in the 'late tax.' If we need to be somewhere by 7 PM, I tell her 6:45 PM. Or, if it's something casual, we just start without her. It sounds harsh, but sometimes setting that boundary is necessary. Other times, we just embrace it. 'Oh, [Friend's Name] will be here in a minute,' we'll say, knowing full well 'a minute' means twenty. It's all part of the unique quirks that make up our friendships. Having a 'late friend' can be annoying, but it also provides endless material for 'joke about being late' moments. It's a running gag that adds character to our interactions. What are your best tips for dealing with that perpetually late pal? Do you have any hilarious 'late friend' stories or group chat moments? Share them below – I need more material for our next 'flaming her' session!