A lesson in mutual respect at a Stevie Wonder tribute

I was in my seat 15 minutes early for a 7:30 pm concert saluting Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key of Life." The musicians didn't take the stage until 7:45 pm. 

Yet, people were STILL arriving after the first three songs had been performed.

Musicians disrespect the audience by not starting on time and in return, the audience disrespects them by showing up 30 minutes or more from when the concert was supposed to begin. 

If you are one of those people who are afraid to show up too early because it would make you appear anxious or you wouldn't know what to do when you arrived, consider what action film star Jet Li told the NY Times recently:

"When we were late for training as kids, the coach would punish us, make us run 400 meters in a circle, around 20 times. Every time you were late, you ran. So that became stuck in my mind when I was a little boy: You cannot be late. Show your pride and respect people. If you tell me eight o’clock, I will be there 10 or 15 minutes before and wait."

Respect is a two-way street. Someone has to walk down it first.