LINE UP folks!

Do you enjoy waiting in a queue? Not me. People living in the UK appear to enjoy the experience. Perhaps not so much us colonials. 
I remember reading a picture story book, The terrible Q by New Zealand/Aotearoa author Tanya Batt. The story starts, Sam likes shopping, but one day mum says they can’t go because of a terrible queue. Sam’s imagination runs wild as she starts to wonder, what is a terrible Q? The mum’s reaction sounds rather familiar…
Recently Val was waiting in line at her Hamilton Chemist. She remarked to me that “she and others in the line didn’t mind waiting as the pharmacy technician took time with each of us to chat about this and that.” As they collectively waited, the pace of life slowed down and they enjoyed each others company and too chatted. For a moment or two no one appeared worried or stressed. Val also said the technician is a friendly, happy person that knows and is invested in her customers/clients and knows their history and needs. She engages not because she has to but because she wants to and we all felt valued. 
Next time you’re in a queue, you might like to smile or strike up a conversation with someone. Perhaps it’s an acknowledgment that they exist in that space. Pretending that they don’t seems a bit strange to me. You don’t have to tell them your life story, but you might be the only person that speaks with them that day. Let’s include people in our lives. You and the other person will be the better for it. 

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