Whether it’s
waiting at the bus stop, a shop counter or a public toilet, no visitor to
Britain could fail to notice this much-loved British habit in action. The
ability to form an orderly line is a must for anyone who aspires to live
harmoniously among the Brits.
Lest you wish to
seriously rile your fellow queuers, queuing etiquette must be observed at all
times. Woe betide anyone who commits the heinous crime of queue-jumping or
pushing in.
According to
researchers at The Telegraph, we Brits spend 6 months of our life queuing.
After discussing the weather, a fascination with queuing is our second most
popular national trait. But why the obsession?
It is thought that
this habit dates back to the days of rationing in the long years during and
after the war, when queuing effectively meant the difference between an empty
plate and a plate filled with the delights of powdered egg and leaden bread.
So next time you’re in a queue, swallow your
frustration and while away the minutes contemplating the cultural heritage of
this most British of traits.
