I have been reflecting on the demand for immediacy in today’s American culture. You can get “instant credit,” “priority boarding” on planes, “Minute Clinic” for a virus, and “12 items or less” at the grocery store. It is clear that people are expected to dislike waiting and feel that they should not be asked to wait.
I realize that in my growing up years and through most of my adult life, waiting was necessary for many occasions. I built up my “waiting” skill. I remember, among others:
Waiting for a long distance phone call to be put through by the operator.
Waiting from September to April to find out if I had gotten into college.
Waiting to find out if I was pregnant until I thought I was three months along.
Waiting to find out if my baby was a girl or a boy.
Waiting for labor to begin.
Waiting for the bank to open Monday morning if I ran out of cash on the weekend.
Waiting for the store to open Monday if I ran out of needed groceries on a Sunday.
Waiting for a credit application to be approved before I could make a purchase.
Each one of these is no longer necessary. I can dial long distance myself. Students can check on line to see if they have been accepted to college. In home tests allow women to find out if they are pregnant almost immediately. People have to opt out of knowing the sex of their baby before birth. Women schedule inductions for delivery. ATM machines mean money is always available. Stores are open every day. The last time I opened an account it took five minutes at a machine inside the store.
We have been led to expect, at least in the U.S., that we can have what we want when we want it. It has led to the atrophy of waiting muscles in us all.
Saved By Words 
except at the doctors… this is one of the few times I expect to wait.
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Or you could read those very very old magazines.
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I play on my phone, catch up on news, read on my kindle. Our surgery isn’t big on magazines sadly! I love old Reader’s Digest
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I love those too.
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I dislike waiting especially in a doctor’s clinic. I have enrolled my utilities online so I won’t have to go to the bank and wait before being served. Time is precious!
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I hadn’t thought much about it, but to be honest, I’m probably one of those impatient people who hates waiting. I will say that it’s getting easier with age.
I’m pretty sure that’s you in the featured photo. Such a contemplative look! I think it’s a really nice picture.
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Yes. That is me. I was a pretty contemplative kid when I wasn’t shooting my cap gun.
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Yes! It’s the same here in Australia! Instant gratification, is not a good thing, so many valuable life lessons are learnt from waiting in patient expectancy.
Thought provoking post Elizabeth!
Jennifer
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Thank you.
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Yes I totally agree. And that is a beautiful photograph.
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Thanks.
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Instant gratification. No one cares how difficult it may be, they want it installed, or fixed, or sent to them right away, and it better not take too long. I wish times were slower like they used to be.
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Well, at our house it is still pretty slow!
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I dislike waiting but I understand that sometimes in life I must.
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Oh, I missed this one, Elizabeth. There’s seems to be no more surprises. I like surprises, therefore, I don’t mind waiting. I love the old photos you are sharing on your blog. Perpetua
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Thanks. It is fun to look through all my old photos to find ones that fit.
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