A Time When You Missed an Appointment

🗂️ Part 2 – Cue Card

🗣️ Sample Answer  (2-Minute Response)

One time I missed an important appointment was about a year ago, when I had a routine dental check-up scheduled at a local clinic in my city. The appointment was for 3:00 PM on a weekday, and I had planned to leave my office around 2:30. However, on that day, I got caught up in a last-minute work meeting that extended well beyond my expected time.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realise how much time had passed until it was already 3:40. I felt extremely guilty and embarrassed because it was my own fault for not setting a reminder. I quickly called the dental clinic to apologise and reschedule. Luckily, they were understanding, but I still felt I had wasted someone else’s time.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson about time management and the importance of punctuality. Now, I use digital calendar reminders for all my appointments. Missing that one appointment reminded me of the importance of staying organised and planning ahead.

🔁 Part 3: Follow-Up Questions

1. Why do people miss appointments?
People often miss appointments due to forgetfulness, unexpected emergencies, or poor time management. Sometimes they underestimate how long a previous task will take. In other cases, they simply don’t see the appointment as a high priorit

2. Is it common for people to miss appointments in your country?
Yes, especially when appointments are booked weeks or months in advance. People often double-book themselves or get caught up in work or family issues. However, most try to call and inform if they can’t make it.

3. What should people do if they realise they’ll miss an appointment?
They should contact the person or organisation as soon as possible and explain the situation. It’s respectful to give notice rather than just not showing up. Most places appreciate honesty and are willing to reschedule.

4. How does missing appointments affect others?
It wastes the other person’s time and may delay their schedule. In professional settings, such as healthcare or business, it can lead to a loss of income or missed opportunities. It also shows a lack of responsibility.

5. Should there be penalties for missing certain appointments?
Yes, especially for services like medical consultations or job interviews. Penalties help people take appointments more seriously. However, exceptions should be made for genuine emergencies.

6. How can people manage their schedules better?
They can use mobile apps, digital calendars, or planners to stay organised. Setting reminders or alarms a few hours in advance is helpful. It’s also important not to overload the schedule with back-to-back tasks.

7. Do you think being punctual is important in today’s world?
Absolutely. Punctuality demonstrates respect for others and leaves a positive impression. It’s especially important in professional environments where time is money.

8. How does culture influence attitudes towards punctuality?
In some cultures, such as Japan and Germany, being on time is considered a sign of discipline and respect. In others, like India or Latin America, time may be viewed more flexibly. Cultural norms definitely affect how people view lateness.

9. Is being busy a valid excuse for missing appointments?
Not really. Everyone has a busy life, and managing your time well is part of being responsible. Being busy should never become a regular excuse for poor planning.

10. Have you ever been affected by someone else missing an appointment?
Yes, I once had a business client who didn’t show up for a scheduled meeting. I had prepared in advance and waited for over an hour. It was frustrating and unprofessional, and it

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