A Nobody enjoys waiting, yet queues are a feature of everyday life. Economists study them because they reveal how people value time.
B Research shows that people dislike uncertain waits more than long ones. Displaying the expected waiting time makes customers more patient, even if the wait itself does not change.
C The design of a queue also matters. A single line feeding several counters is generally seen as fairer than separate lines, because nobody can be unlucky in their choice.
D Some businesses allow customers to pay to skip the line. Theme parks, for example, sell priority passes. Critics argue that this turns waiting into a privilege for those who can afford it.
E Technology is changing queues. Apps let people join a virtual line and receive a message when it is their turn. Restaurants say this reduces crowding at the door, while customers can wait somewhere more comfortable.