Like a good Israeli, I don't like standing in line. Not that like a good Israeli I will try to go to the head of the line "just for one question!", but I will try to avoid standing in line whenever possible.
But living in NYC definately chalanges my patience.
My first experiences in the country were with the authourities - at the airport you have to wait at passport control about 10-15 minutes (and that's only for American citizens. Citizens of other countries have to wait for over 20 min!). For the security you have to wait another 15-20 min., over 4 hours (!) at the social security office (1.5 hours out of it outside in the sun!), about 2 hours at the Department of Motor Vehicles - just to get a non-drivers ID!
On the other hand - you rarely wait at the bank, at the doctor's office - if you have an appointment, or at the cell phone providors stores.
So far so good. But try going to the supermarket. At Wholefoods Market you will probably spend 10-15 min. in line, at Fairway about the same and at Trader Joe's probably 20 min. These lines reminds me the times when people had to wait in line for food in Russia. Especially when it's snowing or raining and people are standing around the block to buy some groceries.
And how about clothing stores or deparment stores? You would expect these stores - that have branches all around the city and high revenues - to be more efficient. But no. At H&M for example - you will have to stand about 10 min. for the fitting room, and then another 10-15 min. to the cashier. The same at Macy's, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and The Children's Place. Most interesting are the lines in book stores - where people are actually buying books (I'll tell you more about it in another time).
OK. Let's agree that we all have to run erands at the authorities from time to time, we all need to buy groceries and clothes. Especially when they are on sale :-)
BUT - why should one want to stand in line for a burger? or a frozen yogurt? or a cupcake? What is the justification for standing in line at the Apple store for something you can buy online? Why would people come 24 hours before the launch of Iphone 4 - just to be the first in line to get the phone?
Sorry. I don't get it...
