How much difference can a single word make?
In this episode, Jen and Meredith use punctuality as a surprisingly revealing example of how easily we assume other people understand words, expectations, and social norms the same way we do. When those expectations aren't met, it can be tempting to attach meaning to the behavior: They don't respect me. They don't value my time. They should know better.
We explore what can happen when we communicate our preferences more directly, stay curious about someone else's perspective, and remember that expressing a need doesn't automatically make it a universal rule. Because even something as ordinary as “on time” can remind us that clarity is kinder than an assumption.