President's Perspective: Lessons in line-ups
In a world where we demand satisfaction, and we have become accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it, it is amazing how many lines we must wait in to get what we need. And how much we have to wait!
I have stood in more lines in the past two weeks than I would normally in a full year. And that includes women's washroom line-ups! I used to get really frustrated, especially when the person in front of me is soooo super slow and all I wanted to do was drop something off.
When I was really little a trip to CIBC, FabricLand or this greenhouse near my house, meant what seemed like hours of waiting. While my parents would go in these places for extended periods of time, I refused, and wound-up weathering the steaming heat in the car. I would refuse point blank to go in. I guess I have been scarred for life because to this day, I will not set foot in any of them.
Then I got old enough to stand in lines by myself. Soccer sign up, dance tryouts, bars. And there were constant lines every flipping time. This used to bother me so much, to the point where I was making faces at the slow people when they turned around. (I know, I am a horrible person. But not anymore I promise!) But with age…. here comes the “with age” statement at 23 again... I have learned that it really isn't all that bad. It's almost funny to (now that I have gotten over myself and how important I thought I was when I was 16) how upset some people get at line-ups. It always makes me wonder…did you think you were the only person that went to Fanshawe? I mean seriously.
I used to be that person. Sarcastic comments, rudeness. It's embarrassing now to think about how I acted. But I was truly frustrated. And for what reason? None other than I was probably running late because I didn't get my ass out of bed early enough. And is that the fault of the person making the grilled chicken wrap I am obsessed with at the Oasis? Probably not. But it sucked waiting anyways.
Now I have learned that this extra time is time that can be better spent than being negative. And a few of the things that have helped me pass the time are as follows:
- Listen to the conversation in front/behind you. You never know the exciting tidbits you may hear! It can definitely get juicy!
- Take in the sights. Things change so quickly, and this may be your opportunity to see what is actually happening around you.
- Play with your phone. Because you know you want to look like you have tons of friends trying to contact you when you are standing alone.
- Look at the menu and try something new. You finally have time to think about what you want, instead of feeling rushed to make a decision.
Yes, you are welcome for the tips. But on a serious note. If you are getting this upset at line-ups now, what are you going to do 20 years down the road when the line-ups are even longer? And when they aren't even for you, because you are waiting in lines with your kids to go on a ride as Disney World? Trust me. They don't get shorter or easier. But if you can use my tips, or send me some of your own, the time will go quicker. Plus, you will feel like you got more work done while waiting. Because you know you didn't study enough for your test last night.
I have stood in more lines in the past two weeks than I would normally in a full year. And that includes women's washroom line-ups! I used to get really frustrated, especially when the person in front of me is soooo super slow and all I wanted to do was drop something off.
When I was really little a trip to CIBC, FabricLand or this greenhouse near my house, meant what seemed like hours of waiting. While my parents would go in these places for extended periods of time, I refused, and wound-up weathering the steaming heat in the car. I would refuse point blank to go in. I guess I have been scarred for life because to this day, I will not set foot in any of them.
Then I got old enough to stand in lines by myself. Soccer sign up, dance tryouts, bars. And there were constant lines every flipping time. This used to bother me so much, to the point where I was making faces at the slow people when they turned around. (I know, I am a horrible person. But not anymore I promise!) But with age…. here comes the “with age” statement at 23 again... I have learned that it really isn't all that bad. It's almost funny to (now that I have gotten over myself and how important I thought I was when I was 16) how upset some people get at line-ups. It always makes me wonder…did you think you were the only person that went to Fanshawe? I mean seriously.
I used to be that person. Sarcastic comments, rudeness. It's embarrassing now to think about how I acted. But I was truly frustrated. And for what reason? None other than I was probably running late because I didn't get my ass out of bed early enough. And is that the fault of the person making the grilled chicken wrap I am obsessed with at the Oasis? Probably not. But it sucked waiting anyways.
Now I have learned that this extra time is time that can be better spent than being negative. And a few of the things that have helped me pass the time are as follows:
- Listen to the conversation in front/behind you. You never know the exciting tidbits you may hear! It can definitely get juicy!
- Take in the sights. Things change so quickly, and this may be your opportunity to see what is actually happening around you.
- Play with your phone. Because you know you want to look like you have tons of friends trying to contact you when you are standing alone.
- Look at the menu and try something new. You finally have time to think about what you want, instead of feeling rushed to make a decision.
Yes, you are welcome for the tips. But on a serious note. If you are getting this upset at line-ups now, what are you going to do 20 years down the road when the line-ups are even longer? And when they aren't even for you, because you are waiting in lines with your kids to go on a ride as Disney World? Trust me. They don't get shorter or easier. But if you can use my tips, or send me some of your own, the time will go quicker. Plus, you will feel like you got more work done while waiting. Because you know you didn't study enough for your test last night.
