We’ve all been there: waiting at the grocery store, standing in line at the bank, stuck in a long queue at an airport check-in counter. Queues are a part of daily life — but have you ever stopped to wonder just how much time we actually waste standing in line?
The Surprising Stats
According to studies and surveys conducted globally:
- The average person spends around 6 months of their life waiting in queues.
- In the UK alone, a typical adult spends approximately 18 hours per year queuing — that’s almost a full day lost annually.
- In urban areas, queues at supermarkets, public transport, and healthcare facilities can stretch from 5 to 45 minutes per instance.
- During peak holiday seasons or major sales (like Black Friday), queue times can double or even triple.
The Psychology Behind Waiting
It’s not just about the time — it’s how we feel while waiting. Research in behavioral psychology has shown:
Unoccupied time feels longer than occupied time — which is why some companies play music or provide entertainment in queues. Uncertainty makes waits feel longer. When people don’t know how long the wait will be, they feel more anxious and frustrated. Fairness matters — people get more upset when they feel someone is cutting the line or when queues aren’t managed properly.
What Could You Do With That Time Instead?
If you saved just 15 minutes a day by avoiding queues, that’s:
- 90 hours per year — more than 11 full workdays!
- 1 hour 45 minutes per week
- 7.5 hours per month
That’s time you could use to:
- Spend time with family
- Learn a new skill
- Read 4–5 books
- Work out or meditate
While queues may never disappear entirely, smart planning and technology are helping us reclaim some of that lost time. As individuals, we can minimize our waiting time by going during off-peak hours, using appointment apps, or even choosing stores with better queue management.
After all, time is one resource we never get back.