![]() ![]() We can stream the latest movies from home. Amazon, GrubHub and the like can be at our doorstep in less than an hour. Having to wait is taken as a sign of being less well off or “not in the game.” It encourages privileged impatience and disdain for those who are caught waiting. When we denigrate the act of waiting, we risk losing an important part of our shared humanity. This change has a negative impact on mental health both individually and collectively. But as our world has sped up, this desirable balance between instant and delayed gratification is at ever greater odds with the current expectations of many, if not most, people. Perhaps the person waiting in line to see their favorite singer perform in concert relishes the night more because of the time invested in getting into the venue. We savor the anticipation like a child waiting for Christmas or summer vacation. The very act of waiting can enhance our appreciation of something. I know due to my training and clinical experience that, from a mental health perspective, the ratio of instant gratification to delayed gratification is weighted heavily towards taking the long view - with occasional treats of spontaneity. In psychological terms, waiting is often framed as a component of delayed gratification and is contrasted against instant gratification. When did the act of waiting get such a bad rap? As a practicing psychologist, the concept of waiting is a major part of my work. You can even avoid the line to see Santa by purchasing a photo package in advance. ![]() It’s not just airlines, it’s also museums, online purchases and amusement parks where VIP status can help you avoid lines. But as one who has been in Group Six and faced the glare of others while walking to my seat at the back of the plane, I can only hope this change will be good for passengers too. The more you pay, the sooner you can get on the plane and the less likely you will have to check a bag, which results in more waiting at the other end of the flight. Lining up to board a plane has become a stark indicator of how our society has commodified the very act of waiting. A plane on the ground is not making money for the airline. (CNN) - United Airlines recently changed its boarding process in an attempt to save two minutes per plane on the ground. ![]()
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