In praise of queuing: columnist argues standing in line is a form of mindfulness

In a personal essay published across two Australian outlets, columnist John Bailey makes the case for the humble queue as an antidote to modern life's incessant demand for productivity and instant gratification.

Bailey recounts accidentally joining a two-hour queue for a virtual Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World in Osaka, dragged along by his excited eight-year-old. Despite initial mortification, he describes the experience as a surprisingly enjoyable shared ordeal. "We had a grand old time," he writes.

The essay contrasts the queue with the pervasive "me first" culture, where even a frozen screen can trigger stress and cutting someone off in traffic has dangerous consequences. Queues, Bailey suggests, are a "gentle lottery" where everyone advances toward a shared goal regardless of background, and they create solidarity through the common defence against queue-jumpers.

While the essay acknowledges the frustration of modern queuing experiences such as automated phone hold music, slow nightclub bathroom lines, and carpark exits, Bailey argues that these everyday annoyances ultimately foster patience and civility. He sees the queue as a quiet democratic act in a world that prioritises speed and self-improvement.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The essay challenges the dominant cultural emphasis on productivity and efficiency, suggesting there is value in experiences that require waiting.
It reframes a common frustration as a potential mindfulness practice, offering readers a different way to approach daily inconveniences.
The piece taps into broader conversations about social cohesion and shared experience in an increasingly individualistic society.

Background

Queuing has long been associated with British and Australian culture, often stereotyped as a national pastime. However, in recent years, technology has reduced tolerance for waiting: food delivery apps, streaming services and instant messaging have trained people to expect immediate results. The cult of productivity, with its side hustles and self-optimisation, leaves little room for unstructured downtime. Bailey's essay is part of a small but persistent genre of writing that defends waiting as a social good, drawing on experiences ranging from theme park lines to supermarket checkouts.

Key Perspectives

John Bailey (author and proponent of queuing): The queue is a social leveller that fosters patience, shared purpose and even solidarity among strangers. It offers a break from the relentless pressure to optimise every moment.

Modern productivity advocates: Waiting is inherently wasteful. The goal should be to eliminate queues through better design, technology or alternative scheduling systems. Every minute spent queuing is a minute not spent being productive.

Critics and skeptics: Bailey's positive view may romanticise the experience. Queues can be deeply frustrating, especially for people with disabilities, young children or limited time, and they often reflect poor organisational planning or inequitable access.

What to Watch

Whether the essay sparks conversation or criticism on social media about the value of patience in modern life.
Any subsequent pieces in Australian media that challenge or reinforce Bailey's perspective.
Potential research or commentary on how queue design affects psychological well-being in public spaces.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources