I chose the middle option, and those of you who know me will laugh and say that I'm late all the time.
I used to be that way but I've gotten much better...sort of.
I really have gotten much better at showing up on time. Or maybe it's just that I've gotten much better at allotting myself more time to get ready/take care of shit/get where I need to be. It also doesn't help that my life is in a constant state of chaos and disorganization with two jobs and trying to cram everything I want or have to do into the two or three free nights per week that I have to do it.
But when I make plans with someone, I'll generally just say, "I'm aiming for 7:30 but realistically I'm not going to get there until 8." And I still aim for the earlier time and if I beat my friends somewhere, then whatever, I don't mind waiting. But I'm to the point where I just text everyone constant updates of my ETA- like "leaving now," "just crossing the bridge now," or "parking now," so my friends can make up their own minds about when it is a good time to leave their house, or whatever. And if something comes up that will postpone me...I ALWAYS make sure to let everyone know what's going on.
For me now it's primarily an issue only because I can't control what time I get out of work..I don't have a set end time- I just have to stay until certain things get done
I hate to have to be that way but with my life in its current state it's the best I can do.