Re: Am i Stupid or just Different?
This is unfortunate and very true for us people being late. We desis generally don't give much importance to be on time. I guess it has somehow built into the system of the vast majority of desi people that it's ok to be late as everyone is going to be late. People just assume that well everyone is going to show up at 8 or 9 while invitation is for 7 then why bother to go at 7. This is very wrong assumption especially to those who do come on time and have to wait in the empty hall. This has to be changed, as time is too valuable to waste. Why not leave a bit early and drive normally rather rushing to the place to get there. Also you show respect to your host by showing up on time. There have been instances where even host is nowhere to be found at the time on the invitation.
By the way being late generally happens at most of our desi gatherings. Most of the same people arrive generally on time when it's school, office meetings and/or functions of non-desi friends. Along the same lines, we show better discipline among non-desi places and no discipline at desi places. A small example is flying to Pakistan via some airline, lets say Singapore Airlines. Most desise will be generally well behaved at the departure airport and/or during their transit points. They will stay in lines etc and show some patience but the moment flight lands at Lahore airport, you can watch the scene. All the discipline or patience is over.
May Allah give us more patience, disciple and ethical values that we can exercise throughout our lives.