If someone cancels last minute, they should arrange an alternative plan for you, amirite?

Are you saying the person who cancels should suggest another time, or that the person cancelling should suggest something for the other party to do in that (now) canceled time slot? No one things the first one is unpopular, and the second one would just be weird as hell.

by Harrisonsenger 2 days ago

This is just weird. Sounds like a tiresome existence

by PandaWorldly24 2 days ago

Right. I can't imagine having every free moment of my time scheduled to go and do something.

by friesenkeyon 2 days ago

Sounds awful.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Why do you all feel the need to be busy all of the time? If someone cancels plans why not just do nothing?

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Disagree. Plans can change for many reasons. It's part of life. Move on.

by Silver-Mind 2 days ago

"I'm busy sorry, something came up, but you should go grab lunch by yourself" LOL, nah, you need to be able to keep yourself busy or find other things to do yourself. It's not on the other person, even if they cancel, not their responsibility to make sure you can occupy your time. That seems childish to want. Are you not able to occupy yourself?

by Anonymous 2 days ago

As a Brazilian living in the Netherlands, I absolutely hate the planning. I cannot invite people for a barbecue if it's not at least 3 weeks in advance. If I am feeling under the weather, I cannot cancel things because it's "extremely inappropriate". Honestly people should be more volatile. It makes things way more enjoyable and they feel less like an obligation. The best example is when I was invited to go to a dutch bbq. It was scheduled with a month in advance, i had to pay 30 euros and the food was rationed. Apart from that, there were more aubergines and red peppers than meat. When I organise BBQs, the invitations are sent on the same day of the event, maybe an hour in advance. I only buy meat and charge around 10 bucks a head. Everybody goes home rolling from the amount of meat they ate. So yeah, spontaneity is what makes social events fun. When you schedule things in advance, they feel less fun.

by AccordingCookie7616 2 days ago

"an hour in advance"?! Sorry, nah. I'm not standing by for your potential BBQ unless I'm getting oncall pay. 😂

by Anonymous 2 days ago

So you're saying that if you and I have plans to do something and you need to cancel, you should arrange for me to hang out with your friend Mike instead that I've never met? Because I can't possibly just find something to do alone to occupy myself? The logic is even self-contradictory since presumably if alone time isn't an option then Mike currently has plans anyways that he would then need to cancel to hang out with me, which means he then needs to find someone else that wants to cancel their plans to meet with his friend, etc.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

LOL. Good luck with that.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Jezus je kan ook gewoon tijd met jezelf door brengen doe even normaal.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

"Sorry I can't make it but don't worry I got someone else to cover my shift."

by Anonymous 2 days ago

‘Hey, friend! Imma need you to cover my shift hanging with this guy coz something came up… oh you already had plans? Can you get someone to cover for you?' wtf dude? If someone cancels plans on me, I'm delighted. Omg, yesss I don't have to go.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Are you a child? Not trying to be condescending, but the only time I'd think it was appropriate for someone else to choose my plans would be if I were a child going to playdates lol. If you're not a child, this is suuuuuper weird. Things come up and plans change— the real issue here is not being flexible or not being ok with doing nothing

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Truly terrible suggestion

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Sounds like a sad existence.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Pretty sure this is entirely culture-specific. If someone cancels on me, that leaves me more time to play video games.

by Mcculloughrosly 2 days ago

Really? "Sorry I can't meet you for coffee, but my friend Martha is free. SHe'll meet you instead." Um.. no. Thanks, but I don't need you deciding what I'm gonna do if you can't make it.

by Formal-Beach 2 days ago

Hey this is Monica... I really hate to do this, but I'm not going to be able to make our date tonight. I feel bad because I know you'd planned something really romantic. Don't worry though, I already talked to my friend Winston and he has confirmed that he will be there. Hopefully next time will work out.

by Cummingsralph 2 days ago

Shouldn't adults be able to entertain themselves if they need to? Just read a book, for god's sake!

by Anonymous 1 day ago

or you could just... not do anything for a few hours. also, i'd need some input from other dutch people but i have a feeling that being constantly so busy that you can't have a spontaneous hangout and being unable to cope with cancelled plans and requiring alternative plan being made for you has very little to do with living in the netherlands.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I think this is somewhat feasible for gaming and team sports ('sorry bro I can't make it but I know someone who plays well') but for more social stuff the idea you can simply deploy a replacement friend is just funny.

by kaseymarks 1 day ago

Are you unable to entertain yourself? Read a book. Go for a walk. Play a video game. Touch grass. Disassociate. The activities of one are endless.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

So if I have to schedule, I make you a play date?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Do you not do anything by yourself? When people cancel plans with me, and I can't find anything to go do in place of those plans, I do stuff like house chores, cleaning, yard work, play video games myself, have a couple drinks and watch funny internet videos, go to the driving range and practice my swing, clean and polish my golf clubs, laundry, meal prep for the week. All sorts of things. I think that plans can change for a number of justified reasons and you will do much better in life if you just utilize that time to work on stuff rather than being mad that the person who cancelled has cancelled. I would absolutely NOT want someone making alternate plans for me then removing themselves from the situation. Why would you even consider letting anyone do that?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I'd never be friends with you

by Anonymous 1 day ago

If someone doesn't have the time or availability to attend the original plans, how in the world would they have the time and availability to replace those plans? How would they know what the alternatives are for the person they cancelled on? Time spent without plans is NOT wasted time. The human brain needs down time, it needs boredom, it needs to be unscheduled at some points. This is dumb.

by CameraDifferent9682 1 day ago

No, but when someone cancels, the onus is on them to suggest and organize a follow-up.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Bro I'm sorry but what does the Netherlands have to do with the culture, the only thing from an American perspective reported about the Netherlands is how progressive and chill the culture is, this is definitely the way you value your time and not a cultural experience defined by a geographic area. Alternatively please explain what you mean by the culture dictates everyone needs to plan well in advance? Genuinely curious.

by frippin 1 day ago