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The standing line

Why we rage against those who refuse to wait their turn.

The standing line evokes strong feelings about justice. Breaking what we see as the rules for waiting in line can arouse anger, and even violence, in a way that feels totally out of proportion to the length of our wait.

Dessa finds out what queuing theory can reveal about social status and hidden power dynamics, and why the serpentine line in her local supermarket is a good thing.

(Image: A queue. Credit: Getty Images)

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Apr 2021 02:06GMT
大象传媒 World Service

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 3 Apr 2021 19:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Sun 4 Apr 2021 09:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service
  • Sun 4 Apr 2021 21:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 5 Apr 2021 02:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service