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The standing line

Deeply HumanDeeply Human

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 29 Nov 202103:06GMT
BBC World Service

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 27 Nov 202119:06GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Sun 28 Nov 202110:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Sun 28 Nov 202123:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 29 Nov 202103:06GMT
    BBC World Service