Why Do We Take So Long to Leave the House? The Ghanaian Habit of Saying “I’m Coming” When We’re Not Ready

Why Do We Take So Long to Leave the House? Have you ever told someone you were on your way when you had not even finished getting dressed? Or received a call asking where you were, only to reply, “I’m almost there,” while still sitting comfortably at home?

For many Ghanaians, getting ready to attend an event can take much longer than expected. A simple invitation to meet friends, attend a birthday party, visit someone or go to a family gathering can turn into a lengthy preparation process.

It often begins with the familiar words, “I’ll be there soon.” But soon can mean anything from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on the person.

Interestingly, some people are not even bothered by the delay. They seem convinced that everything will somehow fall into place, even when the event is about to begin.

The struggle of getting ready

Sometimes, the delay is not intentional. Choosing what to wear, deciding on the right shoes, fixing one’s hair and making sure everything looks presentable can take more time than expected.

Even after selecting an outfit, there may be another round of changes. One dress looks too simple, another does not match the shoes, and the final choice may be the one initially rejected.

For some people, getting ready also involves taking pictures, checking their appearance in the mirror and making last-minute adjustments before finally stepping out.

There are also those who believe they cannot leave home without looking completely prepared. They may spend extra time choosing accessories, applying perfume, arranging their hair or making sure their clothes are properly fitted.

What was supposed to be a quick preparation can easily become an entire afternoon activity.

The “I’m on my way” statement

One interesting part of this habit is how confidently some people announce that they are coming even when they have not left home.

A friend may call three times and receive the same response: I’m coming. Meanwhile, the person is still deciding whether to take a taxi, wait for a ride or change their outfit.

Sometimes, the person may even add, “I’m just around the corner,” when they are nowhere near the meeting point.

This can be frustrating for people who arrive early and are left waiting. It can also affect group plans, especially when everyone is expected to arrive at a particular time.

Imagine a group of friends who agree to meet at 4 p.m. One person arrives at the agreed time, another arrives at 4:30 p.m., while the last person is still sending messages promising to arrive in a few minutes.

By the time everyone is together, the original plan may already be delayed.

Social media and the pressure to look good

Social media may also contribute to the time people spend preparing for outings. With pictures and videos becoming part of almost every social gathering, some people want to look their best before leaving home.

An ordinary outing can become an opportunity to create content, take beautiful pictures and share moments online.

As a result, choosing an outfit is no longer just about being comfortable. For some, it is also about how the final look will appear in photographs.

People may spend extra time finding the perfect outfit, selecting accessories and making sure their appearance is picture-ready. Some even take several pictures before deciding that they are finally satisfied with their look.

While there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good, the preparation can sometimes become one of the biggest reasons people arrive late.

Last-minute distractions make everything worse

Another reason people take longer to leave home is the number of unexpected distractions that appear just when they are about to step out.

Someone may remember that they have not eaten, decide to charge their phone, start looking for their keys or suddenly realise that an important item is missing.

Others may sit down for just a minute and become distracted by television, social media or a conversation with someone at home.

There are also people who are almost ready but decide to do one more thing before leaving. That one small task can turn into another 20 minutes.

Sometimes, the problem is simply that people do not prepare ahead of time. They know about an event several days earlier but wait until the last minute to decide what to wear, arrange transportation or get everything ready.

While being late may seem like a harmless personal habit, it can affect other people, especially when it happens repeatedly.

Friends who arrive early may become frustrated, particularly when they have made an effort to respect the agreed time. People organising events may also struggle when guests arrive much later than expected.

For someone who has arranged transportation, booked a table or planned several activities, waiting for a person who keeps saying “I’m almost there” can disrupt the entire schedule.

It can also create misunderstandings. The person waiting may feel disrespected, while the person who is late may believe that a little delay should not be a problem.

Over time, this can become a source of tension among friends, couples and family members.

Is it poor time management or simply a habit?

While some people genuinely underestimate how long they need to get ready, others have become so comfortable with arriving late that it has become part of their routine.

The habit can be difficult to change when people constantly assume that others will wait for them. However, making a little effort to prepare earlier, communicate honestly about delays and respect agreed times can make social outings more enjoyable.

Perhaps the next time you tell someone you are on your way, it might be better to check whether you have actually left the house.

After all, saying  I’m coming and actually coming are two very different things.

So, why do some people always say “I’m coming” when they are not even ready to leave home, and should lateness be considered a bad habit or something people simply need to work on?