For all my readers who live in, or are from Jamaica, you know that skipping the line or cutting the line is, sadly, a commonplace practise; however, also common, is the knowledge that you can’t do it everywhere.
There are places it’s allowed, sometimes expected, but there are other places where attempting to do so, inspires responses ranging from mild, annoyed grumbles, to extremely colourful epithets about yourself, spouse, siblings, and parents, most often your mother.
On occasion, responses might deteriorate into physical violence; such places include the line at the US Embassy or the line in a KFC on a Friday night.
Of course, like everything else, we have evolved line skipping to coincide with our other societal advancements; we’ve gotten so used to instant gratification, that the thought of ‘waiting’ for anything is downright offensive; we want it now.
To serve the growing need of ‘right now’ and time management, shrewd entrepreneurs have introduced us to the ubiquitous ‘bike messengers/bearers’; the plague of every traffic light, four-way stop sign, sidewalk pedestrian, and of course, the motoring public; they’re everywhere, whether wheelieing in traffic, running red lights or breaking off side mirrors while trying to fit through a non-existent space.
You’ve seen them, 7 Krave, Doorway Express, or the aptly named, Cutdiline, rebranded as Doorstep Jamaica; they’re gathered at the counter in front of you, distracting the cashiers, talking amongst themselves, and just annoying you by their presence, because you know somewhere out there, someone’s watching TV, playing video games, having a party or, sitting at their desk earning money, while you are here, stuck in line behind them, behind the most indecisive person in the world, who has been in line as long as you have, yet didn’t think it wise to figure out what they wanted before the cashier says,
“Next in line.”
Some more innovative ‘impatients’ have resorted to paying the security guard to place their orders for them, as well as, collect it, and take it to them, knowing full well that most people might not give them a second look, assuming they are visiting the counter in an ‘official’ capacity, and it’s not until you hear the cashier say something like;
“Mek dem join di line” that you realise what the frequent visits are really about.
Unlike KFC, the US Embassy line carries with it a certain amount of deference; you dare not get noticed for the wrong reason, like being loud, uttering expletives or any form of physical violence, so, line skipping is a no-no.
Okay, now that we’ve established a baseline, here’s the real meat of the matter; this post is not about KFC, it’s about life, it’s about a generation of people who grew up without the need to wait, the need to be patient, to be considerate of those that came before them.
I grew up in a time when power windows in a car were a novelty, where getting on the internet meant getting off the phone; a time where you had to actually remember someone’s phone number, or have it written in a book; you had to wait until a popular movie came to the theatre; Carib, State or Odeon, before you could see it.
All these conditions taught us one thing above all else: the value of time, yours and other peoples.
In these days of viral videos and Tik Tok millionaires, we seem to have scant regard for anyone’s time, except our own, as a result, we engage in the most nefarious and dastardly practises to advance our agendas while stepping on anyone who happens to present as an obstacle; never minding the fact that that person may have been there ahead of you, and probably deserves it more than you; in other words, we want to skip the ‘life’ line.
Similar to the reaction in KFC, when you’re seen to be skipping the line in life, the equivalent of mild, annoyed grumbles, and extremely colourful epithets are hurled at you; these range in form from, gossip behind your back to targeted harassment from ‘so-called’ friends and associates.
Most people only like cheaters when they themselves are beneficiaries of that person’s actions, otherwise, the ‘crab inna barrell’ mentality persists; if I can’t make it that fast, neither should you.
Let me just say that there is a stark difference between cutting the line and rapidly climbing the ladder. There’s a famous quote that says, ‘if everyone likes you, you are doing it wrong.’ Translated, it simply means, you’re quite malleable, that is, you conform to everything and everyone, as if, you don’t have a mind or a spine of your own; you’re not authentic, you’re a people pleaser.
If you fall into this category, know that you have lost your identity, or worse, have yet to find it.
‘It is better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not.’ I first heard this quote in the Netflix series: Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes, and it stuck with me, it stuck with me because it speaks to the essence of how I try to live my life; I do not deliberately try to offend or be harsh, however, if the situation calls for such reactions, I will not shy away from it just to remain ‘likeable’.
In a similar, but contrary manner, if everyone hates you, you’re doing it wrong. This would mean that you rub everybody the wrong way, whether by your mannerisms, your words, or both; you’re just offensive. This can be a dangerous situation to be in; you don’t have anyone you can trust, anyone you can confide in, or receive advice from; this is an extremely unenviable position.
This situation will likely emerge as a result of several factors colliding; a perfect storm, so to speak. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- You believe you are always right
- You don’t take advice well, if it doesn’t fit with your beliefs
- You are impatient
- You believe you deserve whatever it is you desire, regardless of the established restrictions, those that are ahead of you, and the current status quo
If you can identify with two or more of these, chances are, you’re heading in the wrong direction, and when you make one too many wrong turns, you might find yourself hanging off a cliff, worse still, no one will be lining up to help drag you back to safety, because they are the same ones you ignored when they said ‘that’s the wrong direction.’
Sometimes it’s better to just wait your turn; skipping the line might seem like a good idea in the now, but you need also to think of the future, as the small gain you make presently, might lead to an enormous reversal in the not-too-distant future.
So, don’t skip the line, your turn will come.
Later.
Thanks for indulging my ramblings. If you enjoyed my deliberations, be sure to check out my thriller novels The Martial Art and On Jamaica Government Service on various platforms. They’re available in eBook, Paperback and Hardcover, and Audiobooks coming soon.
However, if you’re having commitment issues, check out my FREE short story, The Martial Art Origins: Severance, available as a free download.
You can explore my site for more interesting content.
Keep Reading. Cheers.
Dane