Timeliness and communication are important. Like everyone said it is about respect. With all of my guys, I always reiterate, that meeting our clients prepared and on-time is one of the most important things we do.
I just literally got off the phone with a contractor who missed a meeting yesterday. He didn't call, or text, just no-showed. He is a young guy like me, very work wise, very good at his job and just fun to be around. But I chewed his ass just the same.
All he needed to do was call me and say "I got tied up lets meet Thursday." Instead I am standing there with my client saying, "Well, he told me he would be here." Made me look really bad (at least IMO), I saved the meeting by pushing into some other discussion points, but damn, I was mad.
Knowledge is power, and when you leave someone in the dark, you are taking control from them, and there are not many people that appreciate that. So if you are going to be late, let the person you are meeting know to keep them from looking bad.
On the weekends, I don't have a problem showing up late for a backyard bbq, a birthday party, or at the bar. Discretionary time should be spent however we want it to be.
_________________________
WDFW - Turning outdoorsmen into golfers since 1994.