10 pences - Q – Queuing
Series: United Kingdom - Quintessentially British A-Z Ten Pences
Apologising unnecessarily and forming a queue, just two of the unusual things we British people do!
If there’s one thing British people know how to do, it’s stand in an orderly queue! Renowned across the globe for our calm and good-natured queueing manner, it is a formation that comes naturally to the people of Britain.
Established as a social norm in the early 19th Century, Britain is believed to have gained its reputation for queueing during major historical events, including the industrial revolution. As more and more people gathered together in urban areas, the need for order was made apparent.
Today, queuing is a part of everyday life. Whether you are out shopping, waiting for a taxi or heading to your local chip shop, an orderly queue will be ready for you to join.