Queuing: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, quite a lot, especially at the local supermarket or when catching the bus during the morning rush hour. It feels like queuing has become an inevitable part of daily life in my city, though I try to avoid peak times whenever I can to save myself some hassle.

To be honest, I get fairly restless if things are moving slowly. I don't mind a brief hold-up, but standing around for ages really tests my patience, especially if people start pushing in or if only one till is open.

I generally just glance at my mobile phone to pass the time. I'll listen to a podcast, catch up on text messages, or read the news. It definitely makes the wait feel much shorter, particularly if the queue isn't budging.

Oh, definitely. When I was little, standing still for more than a couple of minutes felt like an absolute eternity. My parents used to give me small puzzles or snacks to keep me occupied, otherwise I’d get terribly fidgety and complain constantly.

I'd say so, mainly because of modern technology. Most places now offer self-service checkouts or online booking systems, which has cut down waiting times considerably. Even when you do have to wait, having a smartphone keeps you thoroughly distracted.