Monocolumn – The international language of queueing

The international language of queueing

There are three things that mark one out as British: a belief in the healing properties of a proper cup of tea, an unerring ability to turn almost any conversation onto the subject of weather, and a sense of fair play that is best exhibited in politely standing in line and waiting your turn. 
The art of queuing is something that all Brits learn from an early age, thanks in part to an education system which encourages children to stand in line for everything from assemblies to lunch. It is something which continues long into adulthood – one’s ability to queue is a sign of playing by the rules. 
Most of us are also quite prepared to queue for healthcare – accepting the need to wait in turn for treatment on the NHS rather than pushing to the front because we have a fatter wallet. 
Those who try to push in at bus stops or supermarket queues are generally met with a...

Full article: http://www.monocle.com/monocolumn/2012/03/20/the-internat...