Man Divorces His Wife Of 12 Years Because She’s Always Late, Claims Close Ones Are “Shocked And Confused”
Although most humans are somewhat alike each other and share basic similarities like ten fingers and toes, one nose, one mouth, and two ears, it’s no great secret that we’re all unique individuals experiencing this challenging endeavor known as “life” for the very first time.
We make mistakes and have our own beliefs on what’s right and wrong; some people are more self-aware of their potentially hurtful actions, while others aren’t – the list could go on and on.
We can’t live by a book that’ll teach us how to do this all correctly because, well, it doesn’t exist – however, one thing we know for sure is that we long for connections, and most of the time, people have to reach a compromise in order for all of it to work out.
Marriage requires tremendously hard work, and while you cannot change your partner, there’s a big difference between a lack of communication and being taken as a fool, even when it’s only a question of being punctual.
More info: Reddit
You know what they say: “Unpunctuality is a vile habit”
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual image)
“I’m divorcing my wife because she has been late for 90% of everything we have ever done together. Everyone we know is shocked and confused, but I don’t care” – this web user took to Reddit’s r/TrueOffMyChest community to vent about his chronically late now soon-to-be ex-wife. The post managed to garner over 29K upvotes as well as 4.1K comments containing mostly supportive words.
Guy is fed up with his wife’s unpunctuality, finally reaches his boiling point and files for divorce
Image source: r/Side_Salty
The man began his post by clearing some things up – he said that he’s not having an affair or a midlife crisis, he’s also not looking for a younger woman, nor is he hiding anything. The thing is, his wife, with whom he’s been together for 12 years, has never made even the slightest amount of effort to be on time for anything they did.
The man and his wife had been together for 12 years, but never once had she attempted to be on time for anything they did
Image source: r/Side_Salty
He made peace with it because he loved her – however, she somehow got worse after their child was born
Image credits: Ono Kosuki (not the actual image)
Allegedly, when they were still dating, the waiting time would average somewhere between 15 minutes to an hour for the woman to finally show up. And he waited because he loved her. Then, after tying the knot, it got worse. And after their child’s birth, it ended up being a total nightmare, as she would constantly blame her lateness on their son. But again, he put up with it because he loved her.
The author of the post also offered some examples. For instance, the couple is currently looking at preschools for their offspring, and so far, they’ve been 15 to 30 minutes late for each meeting – and the reason is always her.
Their son’s preschool meetings, movies, dinner plans, hanging out with friends, simply getting ready to go on a stroll – you name it
Image source: r/Side_Salty
There was also this time when the man really wanted to see a movie in theaters. The soon-to-be ex-wife wanted to join too; however, he ended up having to leave her in a clothing shop because he was going to miss the start of it. Needless to say, she was furious. Oh, and last but certainly not least, a few months ago they went to see a band that she likes and, surprise, surprise, they were an hour early because it was something that she wanted to do.
The poor spouse admitted that he’s simply tired. He said that dinner reservations are always a mess because many places are known to have very strict lateness policies. Plus, asking her to hurry up, even in the nicest way possible, always stirs up a conflict, as the woman tends to “flip her lid” the moment he opens his mouth.
Meeting up with friends, going to children’s events with their little one, and even trying to go for a stroll is a constant struggle of trying to get her to put the phone down and get ready. According to the post’s creator, he finally snapped last week after waiting outside for 20 minutes with their impatient youngster, only to learn that she had suddenly chosen to vacuum the house.
But the man finally snapped after having to wait outside for 20 minutes with their impatient youngster, only to learn that she had suddenly chosen to vacuum the house
Image source: r/Side_Salty
Image credits: Laura Chouette (not the actual image)
His phone hasn’t stopped ringing since he announced their impending divorce to his formerly beloved spouse. It appears that the woman has already revealed the news to their friends and family, who have collectively decided that it’s their duty to talk him out of it.
Do any people in your life suffer from being late all the time?
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It would drive me insane too, but I wonder if she has undiagnosed ADD. My sister in law does and chronic lateness as well as the inability to properly prioritize tasks ( see random vacuuming) are symptoms. And girls are much less likely to be properly diagnosed because they don't manifest hyper symptoms like boys. My mom now goes over every morning to babysit my nephews before school ans shoo my SIL out to be on time for work cause she was almost fired for being late ( she's a teacher and you can't leave kids unattended).
If she was late for the things she wanted to do too, I'd be inclined to be that generous. As it sounds, if she's not that invested (even when it's something for her son) her time keeping becomes optional. That's not ADD, that's a lack of respect for other people and their time.
Load More Replies...My sister is like this. Her daughter has taken to telling her the start time of everything as at least 30 minutes earlier than the actual start time. Even at my niece's wedding, she was told thirty minutes earlier than the actual time and she was still a few minutes late. Some people are so disorganized that they're going to be late to a lot of things. Fine, still frustrating, but fine. When it comes to important things, though, you chronic late people NEED to make a true and sincere effort, no excuses. Every job I have worked has fired people who are frequently late, even if it's only a few minutes. The world does not revolve around you. Not everyone is going to put everything on hold while they wait for your chronically late a*s that can't bother to be respectful of anyone else's time but your own. If you're a few minutes late to lunch with a friend, fine, whatever. If you are late to your children's important events (school graduation, for one) then screw you and your excuses.
You're right. Guessing DAN is oblivious to irritating others. Chronically late people who make no effort (especially if they regularly do make the effort for their job or the things they like to do) are repeatedly giving others lots of time to resent and think negatively toward them during all the times they leave them waiting. It eventually kills friendships and relationships.
Load More Replies...My dad taught me pretty early on that when you can't keep an appointment it's a very disrespectful act to the person you're meeting with. It communicates you have no respect for their time. It's a lesson that stuck with me very strongly. I call or text people when I'm going to be 5 minutes late.
My partner used to be late for everything. I absolutely detest lateness. In the last few years my 17 year old daughter has been showing similar behaviour. I get up 2 hours before I need to to make sure she gets to where she needs to be on time. I know it sounds crazy but it’s working. She is improving, so it’s not wasted time.
Why is everyone blaming ADD for being late? My MIL is always way late she doesn't have ADD she just takes her sweet a*s time to do anything. I also have friends like this. No ADD just takes their sweet a*s time.
Because people with ADD frequently have trouble with time keeping. At least two of the commenters have ADD or ADHD and described their personal experiences. Please don't invalidate that just because you haven't experienced it first hand
Load More Replies...I totally get it. I divorced my first wife (long ago) over this kind of thing. I put up with it for 4yrs dating + 4yrs marriage; I was young and ignorant about a lot of things. Also, despite all of the people weighing in here, I did not find much sympathy from friends and family: “So she’s late, so what?” And FWIW, *I* had undiagnosed ADD at the time; I call BS on “maybe she has undiagnosed ADD?” That’s like saying “it’s not her fault, she can’t help it.” With my ex, it was conscious manipulation and disrespect. And it sounds like that’s what’s going on with OP’s wife, too. I wish him the best.
Perfectly reasonable to let this marriage go. You tried. I hope he gets custody too. Because her chronic lateness would rub off on the kiddo. Being late is not ok. Even if he tried to lie and say something was an hour earlier than it should be (a reservation) to make it on time would eventually get busted and she would be even later. Short of setting alarms for every 5 min on her to get up an leave the phone alone I doubt it would work. I am always early. I hate tardy. I wanna go somewhere and get a nice parking spot. I can wait til it's my turn if I'm early. But sometimes people accept you 15 min early and appreciate it. At work early is good. You can prep and put your things away and be ready to clock in an start on time. But to a movie? Late isn't good. To dinner? Not good. And to scholastic things to help your child...way not good.
They don't take away your children and terminate your rights because you're late.....you sound like the Karens calling CPS because someone's kid used the f-word.
Load More Replies...Sounds like adult ADHD. I'm similar when I'm not on my meds. Also the hormones from nursing make my ADHD worse, but I have to deal with that until we wean. It's very possible that with therapy and meds, things could improve for your wife.
If she was late to *everything* then maybe. But when it's something she likes, she's there early, so no, don't think so.
Load More Replies...NTA if you are not happy in your marriage and there is no improvement you divorce.
My sister is like this. Yes she has undiagnosed ADD but she's well aware that's the liklihood (all of her kids have been diagnosed as well as several other family members) and she's done zero to approach any kind of treatment for it. She's never apologetic and the entire family has had to sit around waiting for hours for her. She's fine being late picking up her kids or going to appointments or for hanging out with friends. And if anyone confronts her she gets super pissed and scary so it's not mentioned again. It's fine to understand the possible diagnosis involved but the lack of concern/care for other's time and feelings is what can make the person a jerk not their non neurotypical brain. I say this as someone who is also non neurotypical. As a side note I've also seen this chronic lateness in a few people who have Borderline Personality Disorder though not with the complete resistance to being called out on it. That's just anecdotal though.
It would drive me insane too, but I wonder if she has undiagnosed ADD. My sister in law does and chronic lateness as well as the inability to properly prioritize tasks ( see random vacuuming) are symptoms. And girls are much less likely to be properly diagnosed because they don't manifest hyper symptoms like boys. My mom now goes over every morning to babysit my nephews before school ans shoo my SIL out to be on time for work cause she was almost fired for being late ( she's a teacher and you can't leave kids unattended).
If she was late for the things she wanted to do too, I'd be inclined to be that generous. As it sounds, if she's not that invested (even when it's something for her son) her time keeping becomes optional. That's not ADD, that's a lack of respect for other people and their time.
Load More Replies...My sister is like this. Her daughter has taken to telling her the start time of everything as at least 30 minutes earlier than the actual start time. Even at my niece's wedding, she was told thirty minutes earlier than the actual time and she was still a few minutes late. Some people are so disorganized that they're going to be late to a lot of things. Fine, still frustrating, but fine. When it comes to important things, though, you chronic late people NEED to make a true and sincere effort, no excuses. Every job I have worked has fired people who are frequently late, even if it's only a few minutes. The world does not revolve around you. Not everyone is going to put everything on hold while they wait for your chronically late a*s that can't bother to be respectful of anyone else's time but your own. If you're a few minutes late to lunch with a friend, fine, whatever. If you are late to your children's important events (school graduation, for one) then screw you and your excuses.
You're right. Guessing DAN is oblivious to irritating others. Chronically late people who make no effort (especially if they regularly do make the effort for their job or the things they like to do) are repeatedly giving others lots of time to resent and think negatively toward them during all the times they leave them waiting. It eventually kills friendships and relationships.
Load More Replies...My dad taught me pretty early on that when you can't keep an appointment it's a very disrespectful act to the person you're meeting with. It communicates you have no respect for their time. It's a lesson that stuck with me very strongly. I call or text people when I'm going to be 5 minutes late.
My partner used to be late for everything. I absolutely detest lateness. In the last few years my 17 year old daughter has been showing similar behaviour. I get up 2 hours before I need to to make sure she gets to where she needs to be on time. I know it sounds crazy but it’s working. She is improving, so it’s not wasted time.
Why is everyone blaming ADD for being late? My MIL is always way late she doesn't have ADD she just takes her sweet a*s time to do anything. I also have friends like this. No ADD just takes their sweet a*s time.
Because people with ADD frequently have trouble with time keeping. At least two of the commenters have ADD or ADHD and described their personal experiences. Please don't invalidate that just because you haven't experienced it first hand
Load More Replies...I totally get it. I divorced my first wife (long ago) over this kind of thing. I put up with it for 4yrs dating + 4yrs marriage; I was young and ignorant about a lot of things. Also, despite all of the people weighing in here, I did not find much sympathy from friends and family: “So she’s late, so what?” And FWIW, *I* had undiagnosed ADD at the time; I call BS on “maybe she has undiagnosed ADD?” That’s like saying “it’s not her fault, she can’t help it.” With my ex, it was conscious manipulation and disrespect. And it sounds like that’s what’s going on with OP’s wife, too. I wish him the best.
Perfectly reasonable to let this marriage go. You tried. I hope he gets custody too. Because her chronic lateness would rub off on the kiddo. Being late is not ok. Even if he tried to lie and say something was an hour earlier than it should be (a reservation) to make it on time would eventually get busted and she would be even later. Short of setting alarms for every 5 min on her to get up an leave the phone alone I doubt it would work. I am always early. I hate tardy. I wanna go somewhere and get a nice parking spot. I can wait til it's my turn if I'm early. But sometimes people accept you 15 min early and appreciate it. At work early is good. You can prep and put your things away and be ready to clock in an start on time. But to a movie? Late isn't good. To dinner? Not good. And to scholastic things to help your child...way not good.
They don't take away your children and terminate your rights because you're late.....you sound like the Karens calling CPS because someone's kid used the f-word.
Load More Replies...Sounds like adult ADHD. I'm similar when I'm not on my meds. Also the hormones from nursing make my ADHD worse, but I have to deal with that until we wean. It's very possible that with therapy and meds, things could improve for your wife.
If she was late to *everything* then maybe. But when it's something she likes, she's there early, so no, don't think so.
Load More Replies...NTA if you are not happy in your marriage and there is no improvement you divorce.
My sister is like this. Yes she has undiagnosed ADD but she's well aware that's the liklihood (all of her kids have been diagnosed as well as several other family members) and she's done zero to approach any kind of treatment for it. She's never apologetic and the entire family has had to sit around waiting for hours for her. She's fine being late picking up her kids or going to appointments or for hanging out with friends. And if anyone confronts her she gets super pissed and scary so it's not mentioned again. It's fine to understand the possible diagnosis involved but the lack of concern/care for other's time and feelings is what can make the person a jerk not their non neurotypical brain. I say this as someone who is also non neurotypical. As a side note I've also seen this chronic lateness in a few people who have Borderline Personality Disorder though not with the complete resistance to being called out on it. That's just anecdotal though.




























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