Stop saying “five minutes”

“I’ll be there in five minutes!” 

This sentence has lost all meaning. It’s so commonly used, so now, it’s more of an expression than a measurement of time. The real meaning of “I’ll be there in five minutes” is closer to “I’m running late, and I’ll be there soon!” Five minutes has nothing to do with it. 

I feel the same when people say “ten minutes” or “30 minutes.” If you’re unable to show up on time, what makes me think that your off-handed estimation of “five minutes” won’t also be imprecise? 

This is why, if you are running late (it happens to everybody), you should say “four minutes” or “seven minutes” or give an exact time. No one says “four minutes,” so when you say it, people believe it. It sounds measured and precise, unlike the dreaded “five minutes.” 

Specificity creates trust.