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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)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Apr 202102:06GMT
BBC World Service

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 3 Apr 202119:06GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Sun 4 Apr 202109:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Sun 4 Apr 202121:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 5 Apr 202102:06GMT
    BBC World Service