Why do the British queue so much?
Whether you are visiting, studying or moving permanently to live in the UK there is something, I think, you should know. We are a nation that is obsessed with queuing. It's what the British are renowned for doing - and doing very well. Better than anyone else in the world, if reputation is to be believed. It is something that we have always done. So… even if you find it irritating, give it a go as otherwise you may end up in a pickle.
We are known for queuing in a clam and good-natured manner, standing in a line for just about anything. Supermarkets, bus stops, taxis, the post office, the cinema, and just about anything else you can think of will attract a line of people. Yet historians say that standing in a long line has not always come naturally to Brits. So where did it all start? It all dates back to the days of rationing during and after the World Wars of the last century. During those long years people had to start to queue up in a structured way in order to access food handouts and charity, often queuing for days at a time. During those days queuing was often exhausting, frustrating and tense, often the police had to be called for to sort things out and restore order.
Nowadays, queuing is associated with decency, and fair play. Best example is the Wimbledon queue, where people queue for hours to get in, often armed with camping chairs to add some comfort to their waiting time, sharing tea and cake with thousands of people forming the same orderly queue. Well, not with all of them, just their ‘neighbours’. There is something magical about the Wimbledon queue, which is filled with excitement and happiness. However, the ‘queuing experience’ is very different while waiting at the bus stop!You certainly don’t get the same warm glow of togetherness! In the bus stop queue (sometimes but not always!) it is every man, woman and child for themselves when the bus arrives. However, that is not the case with most cities, which have their own code of conduct in place, in case someone doesn’t understand how the queue works. I remember very well being told off by an elderly lady, who sharply pointed out the back of the line to me! I quickly learnt my lesson and never made the same mistake again. So my advice is, if you are ever in doubt and don’t want to upset an Englishman, just ask ‘Is this the back of the queue?’ and avoid any embarrassment, as we British hate queue jumpers!
From experience I have learnt that in some countries queuing doesn’t exist, and people simply go as they like. Personally I find it a little bit irritating, however, probably those people find me irritating queuing! I think the best solution here is being tolerant, and understand and embrace our cultural differences. Ultimately, if the British can avoid standing in a line they will, just like everyone else.
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