Why award XP for showing up on time?

[LostSoul]

I don't reward people for doing what they should be doing.

Heh heh. Isn't that exactly what people should be rewarded for? Or do you reward people for doing what they shouldn't be doing?

I get it, though. You don't hand out rewards for the base minimum.


In answer to the original question, I think handing out rewards for punctuality is meant to reinforce the social contract - basically, rewarding people for good behaviour. Although it's interesting that the DM can't get this reward.

In your case, I think you should have got a reward for showing up on time, basing that time on the fact that you couldn't make the start of the game. ie. As long as you're doing your best to make it "on time", you should get the same reward.