United Airlines recently changed its boarding process in an attempt to save two minutes per plane on the ground. It remains to be seen how effective the new policy for boarding its planes will be, but its success will mainly depend on how willing people are to wait their turn.
Lining up to board a plane has become a clear indicator of how our society has commodified (使商品化) the very act of waiting. The more you pay, the sooner you can get on the plane. It's not just airlines; it's also museums, online purchases and amusement parks where VIP status can help you avoid lines. When did the act of waiting get such bad fame?
The very act of waiting can actually enhance our appreciation of something. We enjoy the anticipation like a child waiting for Christmas or summer vacation. Perhaps the person waiting in line to see their favorite singer perform in concert favors the night more because of the time invested in getting into the venue.
But as our world has sped up, this desirable balance between instant and delayed satisfaction is at ever greater odds with the current expectations of many, if not most, people. This change has a negative impact on mental health both individually and collectively. When we denigrate the act of waiting, we risk losing an important part of our shared humanity.
But the capacity to wait is a foundational part of a civilized society and thus an important skill to have. If we lose our ability to stand in line or wait our turn, we suffer from the stress of a world on steroids(类固醇). If we label people who wait as "losers", we release greatly primitive urges to grab what's ours at any cost with no concern about those we leave behind. We see the people in line as "others", not like us, and that dehumanization is dangerous.
