Queuing

The British are the best queuers in the world. This morning I stood in a queue for about an hour an half outside the Chinese Embassy applying for visas for our holiday in April. Admittedly it was a beautiful morning but everyone was relaxed and moved quietly forward when they needed to. Nobody attempted to push in, nobody moaned or attempted to invade your personal space. They simply waited their turn.

As I left the Embassy the queue had grown to about 100 yards, but still everyone carried on happily. This wouldn't happen in Italy, France or any country in the world and should be something worth celebrating.

I guess its because the British have a strong sense of Fair Play and 'jumping the queue' is still regarded as one of the worst crimes in the world. Remember when David Blunkett tried to fast track a visa application for his lover's nanny and the hoo haa that caused. Also when Madonna adopted a boy from Malawi, the controversy was largely over whether she followed the right procedures ie whether she queue-jumped or not.

Anyway for what its worth, I wish the best of luck to Madonna, Angelina Jolie and anyone famous or otherwise for adopting an overseas child. Now that really is something worth celebrating.