I find this annoying , but don't feel I can ask friend to stop

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound ridiculous. She is a person that is early — that is no big deal. She is letting you know she is there so you will be on the lookout for her — that is also no big deal.

Yep, she’s letting you know to come on in and she is at the table….as opposed to sitting in her car.

[Anonymous]

Don't respond to it. Go on with your day.

[Anonymous]

So for all you “she’s just early, don’t worry about it” people, my question is why text OP and announce this? If I’m meeting a friend at 6p, I expect we’ll both arrive at 6p, or a few min before. Why announce (each time, per the OP), “I’m here!” a full 15-20 min before the scheduled arrival time? If we’re meeting at 6, I’ll see you at 6. If OP has a reliable history of promptly meeting, I don’t get the friend’s consistent need to announce her early arrival. If it’s about finding each other in the restaurant, it’s a restaurant. Not a stadium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She is just letting you know she is there so you know to look for her when you get there. I doubt it is a summons for you to immediately show up. Maybe you could turn your. notifications off next time so it does not bother you. Or - if she is a good friend just tell her it stresses you out.

Sound advice here. 👍🏽

[Anonymous]

“OK! I’m still aiming for an on time 12:30 arrival!”

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Washington DC.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal. This is her way of telling you she is at the table vs you sitting at the front of the restaurant looking for her.

[Anonymous]

Yep, she’s letting you know to come on in and she is at the table….as opposed to sitting in her car.

Do people actually do this? We live in DC and I grew up in Chicago, so I am not tuned in to driving culture. It sounds odd to me - I would always just go into the restaurant, as I don't find sitting in a car to be particularly pleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So for all you “she’s just early, don’t worry about it” people, my question is why text OP and announce this? If I’m meeting a friend at 6p, I expect we’ll both arrive at 6p, or a few min before. Why announce (each time, per the OP), “I’m here!” a full 15-20 min before the scheduled arrival time? If we’re meeting at 6, I’ll see you at 6. If OP has a reliable history of promptly meeting, I don’t get the friend’s consistent need to announce her early arrival. If it’s about finding each other in the restaurant, it’s a restaurant. Not a stadium.

Because sometimes people stand outside and wait for their dining companion. Or if the place doesn't take reservations, to let them know that a table has been secured.

[Anonymous]

She’s checking in, in case you’re early too. I don’t see the problem with coordinating.

[Anonymous]

I think it is odd, because you are obviously going to easily connect with her once you arrive, so it is unnecessary info. I would just respond "ok, still planning on an on-time arrival."

[Anonymous]

If this person is actually a good friend, can't you just be kind but direct? "Hey, Susie, I usually get there right on time when we meet. I know you like to arrive early, but I am generally not able to. I'll always text in the unlikely event I am running late."

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine.
Just text back “ sounds good, see you shortly”

[Anonymous]

OP, it’s you not her. Just take a deep breath when you see the text or text one of the responses mentioned (eg, great, see you soon!). I understand where you’re coming from- I have a thing about people following up with me for things if it’s before the time I owe a response. Drives me insane, in both my professional and personal lives. But I know that it’s my problem and not theirs.

[Anonymous]

My friend does this as well - he’ll text “I’m here” 15 min early. I typically respond with something like, “you’re awfully early; I’ll be there at 1 as planned.” I think he’d prefer I show up earlier, and that that is the point of his text, but whatever- we set a time and I’m in time. If he wants to be that early so be it. He can wait. And yes it bothers me (and probably him) but we both let it go immediately