My Partner Is Always Late: 4 Tricks For Dealing With It

There are three kinds of people in this world — people who are always early, people who are always on time and people who are always late. 

If you're the first or second and you're in a relationship with the last, we're guessing it's a sore subject. 

That's the case with viewers Melanie and Daryl. 

"There [have been] plenty of times when I've cooked a homemade meal and expected her to be on time," Daryl explains, "and she showed up at least 30 minutes late." 

Melanie doesn't deny her chronic tardiness, but she does insist she's never as late as 30 minutes.

Regardless, Keith and Dana Cutler from "Couples Court With The Cutlers" can relate — and they have tips for meeting your partner halfway, from both sides. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PARTNER IS ALWAYS LATE

TIP #1: "Tell her 11 when it's really 11:30," Dana suggests. "[Keith] does it to me. I used to hate it, but I've accepted it." 

TIP #2: Define late. "There's late and there's later than I wanted it to happen," Keith Cutler points out. "There's a difference." Certain start times are non-negotiable, Keith adds — like movies and concerts — but others, you can afford to be flexible for, if you're willing. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ALWAYS LATE

TIP #3: Set your clock 15 minutes fast. If you have no concept of time, Dana points out, you'll forget you even did it. 

TIP #4: Budget extra time for getting ready. "If you think it's going to take 30 minutes to get ready," Dana suggests, "add 15 minutes."