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But this queue is all about togetherness. If that happens in this queue, move closer and maybe even hug them back.
Serious mode - it might be only 1% of the population by numbers but that's like saying there are only 65000 Man United fans because that's how many turn up to watch their games. In both cases it's limited of course by capacity too, the fact that 'only' half a million will file past is partly because that is what will be able to get past in the time allocated (and god help us if they suggest an extension, could go on for weeks!). If they had 4 queues from NSEW and travelators to speed it up, then I've no doubt the number would be higher. But the point is that as a measure of the proportion of the nation is clearly still pro-monarchy it is quite instructive. That said, a properly run poll tells us that anyway.
Whatever you think of the sentiment and the mindset of people queuing all night to walk slowly past a box with a flag on it (I wouldn't personally use fringe nutters myself) you can't deny it exists in very large numbers.
Ski resorts in Europe, especially France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria, could learn a thing or two from 'the queue'.
The queues there start with a couple of people, then spread out into a massive triangle. It's just a 'free for all', elbows out and pushing, then the lifties only let 2 people on a 6 person chair lift. Lots of tutting going on by the Brits :O).
it’s limited of course by capacity too, the fact that ‘only’ half a million will file past is partly because that is what will be able to get past in the time allocated
They should have put her on the central reservation of the M6 maybe.
Whatever you think of the sentiment and the mindset of people queuing all night to walk slowly past a box with a flag on it (I wouldn’t personally use fringe nutters myself) you can’t deny it exists in very large numbers.
Yes. This thread has quite a few posts from people frantically trying to reinforce the walls of the echo chamber. The Queue is real. Get over it.
a measure of the proportion of the nation is clearly still pro-monarchy it is quite instructive.
Another way of looking at it that people want to be part of a moment in history. Their enthusiasm for the monarchy should not be extrapolated from the small numbers being interviewed who express support for the institution.
I was Queue curious last night so went on to channel 601 (BBC red button feed) to gawk at THE Queuers. FML, what a bunch of mournier-than-thou lickspittles. There were people who obviously knew the cameras were on them and they didn't half make a show of being extra ReSpeCful!!!1!!1! 🤣
Also, in other WTaF news, there was radio coverage of THE Queue last night, as filler just before the England v. India cricket was due to start. It was ****ing surreal 😵
What the **** is happening in this country? Like if you're not super-remembrancing from the end of August with shop dummies dressed as WW1 soldiers in your front garden (so everyone can see how remembrancey you are!), or ultramourning over the deaths of priveliged old people you're not A PAtrIOt!!1!!1!!
Eff that shiz.
Another way of looking at it that people want to be part of a moment in history. Their enthusiasm for the monarchy should not be extrapolated from the small numbers being interviewed who express support for the institution.
I’m sure that there are a lot of people who want to be part of the moment. But you are not seriously suggesting that people who travel down to London, and who join a 4 mile queue lasting for multiple hours, are secretly closet republicans?
I often wondered who bought that tasteless royal themed tat that you see at the back of tabloid Sunday supplements or who bought the Daily Express on the strength of its endless Diana front pages
Having watched some people interviewed in 'The Queue' last night, I now know
Pathetic, grovelling forelock-tugging serfs
Have some self-respect FFS!
Its embarrassing to witness
I was Queue curious last night so went on to channel 601 (BBC red button feed) to gawk at THE Queuers.
Sounds like it was a well worth exercise which made you feel better about yourself.
I wonder if this will be the catalyst for a Coronavirus bubble. Levels are low at the moment, but 1 in 70 have it, which still means a bigly number of spreaders in THE queue.
I hadn’t realised the Cabinet were queueing.
MPs and Lords don't have to queue, they plus guests get free access to Wm Hall.
I'd not personally queue 10 hours to see it but the hall itself is quite a thing - massive 925 year old building, original oak beams. Rees Mogg said "excuse me" to me, last time I was there in a surreal moment in a corridor conversation. He's not as tall as you'd think. Am I still typing?
who join a 4 mile queue lasting for multiple hours, are secretly closet republicans?
Assumption is the mother of all **** ups. No I'm suggesting that the data for either position is not proven. We don't know and to extrapolate approval from an admittedly small sample size (those interviewed) would be foolish.
Pretty sure the Queue is made up of a combination of people:
* Genuine Monarchy fans
* Not too bothered about monarchy, but loved the Queen
* Want to be a part of it (and tell their friends)
* Queue-curious.
The group I find interesting is the second - will support for the monarchy drop in a couple of years, once Liz starts to fade into historical memory, and Charles is king?
https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/15/crowd-behaviour-london-mourning-queen
Actually follows on quite closely from what @mogrim said above ^^
I've got a modicum of sympathy for the queue jumping MP's, they're held to account based on voting records consisting of whipped votes, opposition day motions, voting for an amendment to bad legislation because it was at least better than the original, whether they wore a red or white poppy, have they suggested that maybe bombing Palestine into the stone age every few years isn't a viable peace plan, were they at Pride, did they fly back from their family holiday to do something about the airport chaos, etc, etc.
Imagine having a job where you could lose it based on some PPE grad leaflet dropping an old peoples home that you'd had the audacity to not see the coffin!
I queued for two hours in -17 blizzard conditions across red square in 1982 to see lenin so this queue isn't much of a challenge. Plus Lenin was visible! Who knows where the actual royal corpse is?
I don’t know about you, but I have certainly been to funerals where I am not particularly grieving. I’ve gone out of a sense of duty or to ‘show respect’ or to support someone I care for who is grieving. That’s funerals for you. I don’t doubt that this is the same for this funeral, but to suggest that not everyone the queue is personally devastated by the Queen’s death, therefore this all somehow faked is stretching it a long way. Like it or not, support for the monarchy & the Queen herself is much greater than a lot of posters on STW would like to think. Which is why all the moaning about why we should be discussing an elected Head of State is a bit weird. We know who the successful candidate would be.
you’re not A PAtrIOt!!1!!1!!
You ok hun? I mean I can see your keyboard’s knackered & I feel your pain but there’s no need to get uppity.
Does the queue exit through Ye Olde Gifte Shoppe?
Yes. This thread has quite a few posts from people frantically trying to reinforce the walls of the echo chamber. The Queue is real. Get over it.
And making sweeping and insulting remarks about people whose views they disagree with. Which never reflects well.
I've no interest in being a Queuer, but, you know, it's a free country, they aren't harming anyone, and, to be fair, it's all a lot less crazy than the reaction when Diana died, thank goodness.
Apparently the queue has been paused for 6 hrs… expect the first queue for the queue to begin.
I queued for two hours in -17 blizzard conditions across red square in 1982 to see lenin
Wow, that's like a top trumps death card for an STW political thread.
Just here to say that ^ no way people will be able to resist making a queue for the queue
Wow, that’s like a top trumps death card for an STW political thread.
It's what school trips were like in the 80s when your history teacher was a Marxist
Plus Lenin was visible!
I queued to see Mao in 1998. About an hour queue 22 years after his death. His embalmed body had a freaky luminescent glow. And the exit was literally through a gift shop of Mao tat, waving plastic statues and the like.
Just here to say that ^ no way people will be able to resist making a queue for the queue
There's a whole new branch of psychology here. We could call it Queuer Theory.
And the exit was literally through a gift shop of Mao tat
How superbly ironic.
will support for the monarchy drop in a couple of years, once Liz starts to fade into historical memory, and Charles is king?
Oh absolutely yes. The Queen was the only unimpeachable one, in the eyes of the public. Once this blows over support will leave in droves - Charles is damaged goods in PR terms. There's a chance William could save it though.
I’ve no interest in being a Queuer, but, you know, it’s a free country, they aren’t harming anyone,
Plus the whole thing is entertaining. It’s like a giant satire only it’s not, it’s real and absolutely mind boggling from my perspective. Now feel wrong for being entertained by the death of a much loved person. Media’s fault though! If they’d not interviewed the royal bee keeper about breaking the news to the bees I would’ve never paid attention to any of it.
Thanks for the link crazy legs, that was interesting.
As I said earlier in the thread last month I queued for about an hour to see a shrine at the Hari Krishna temple. I am not a Hindu and to be perfectly honest I didn't really know what I was queuing up for but I was intrigued by the sight of hundreds of people queuing during a Krishnashtami festival, the fact the queue hardly moved and everyone seemed so relaxed and patient made it even more intriguing.
The end result was that I spent just a couple of minutes in front of an admittedly impressive shrine which meant nothing to me although I found the profound reverence of the crowd quite contagious.
What struck me most though was that despite being clueless concerning what to expect, and being one of maybe 3 or 4 white faces among hundreds (for this I queued on my own) I didn't in anyway at all feel that I was an outsider who wasn't in sync with everyone, which I guess backs up the claim made in the link concerning the false impression of people's motives. Also it was very clear to me that some people were vastly more religious than others, some you could see were doing out of duty or to be with friends and family.
will support for the monarchy drop in a couple of years,
Might increase. If he and Son1 reform enough, some detractors could come on board, and the supporters won't be going anywhere soon.
Just to say they also run a tight queue in Windsor down the High Street every weekend for the castle. Properly dressed attendants too. There is seating along the edge of the castle, a Weatherspoons and a McD for the famished. As one would expect. I find the statistic that 1% of a nation might file past a single location within a few days a rather impressive logistical feat (since we're not Lichtenstein).
Charles is damaged goods in PR terms. There’s a chance William could save it though.
Have to agree with this. The Queen managed (in my opinion) never to actually look pompous or self important, which was an incredible feat given the role and everything that surrounds it. There is no way the new Monarch will manage that. William might be able to.
If he and Son1 reform enough, some detractors could come on board, and the supporters won’t be going anywhere soon.
Reform, or just different PR? When it comes to real reform, I'm still very unclear whether that is entirely in the hands of the current Monarch. I've asked before, but who has to approve any reform? What if that reform requires changing statute?
it’s all a lot less crazy than the reaction when Diana died, thank goodness.
This is very true and I hadn't thought of that.
I guess this particular national mourning doesn't include allegations that the Queen was murdered or driven to her death, which I guess would up the emotions.
The only conspiracy theory I have heard suggested so far is that the HM's coffin might be filled with potatoes. Although I suppose it's still early days.
Another interesting (to me, at least) link, about the psychology behind public mourning:
https://twitter.com/DCMS/status/1570696999372214272
the queue is closed. long live the queue..
it's not exactly the same as queuing but BITD I'd regularly drive for 8 or 9 hours in an uncomfortable car with shit heating / ventilation, to some faraway provincial shithole town and back again.
On the positive side, it wasn't stood up queuing and you could at least listen to the cassette player (not radio though, that had an earthing issue so there was static in time with the engine revs). And instead of a 2 minute payoff, it was 90 minutes.
On the negative side, even in those days it was a full tank of petrol, plus entrance fees, and overpriced burger, and the 90 minute payback was 90 minutes watching Reading inevitably get humped by someone like Hartlepool or Bury.
That's what fringe nutters look like.
I guess this particular national mourning doesn’t include allegations that the Queen was murdered or driven to her death, which I guess would up the emotions.
She was literally driven to her death.
As this many people are interested maybe HM should be embalmed and displayed permanently. It could do wonders for the tourist industry.
I wonder if this will be the catalyst for a Coronavirus bubble.
Probably not particularly as you're only in contact with a couple of people in front and behind you for the whole time.
Probably more chance of spread in your local supermarket.
So let’s get this straight.
Is it ok for people to queue for hours to see a shrine to a deity that’s never existed, without being slagged of as some kind of nut job, but when someone queues for hours to pay respect to an actual person who did exist….they’re a nut job?
Yours, confused of North Yorkshire. 😂🧐🤔
a deity that’s never existed,
Prove it.
it’s all a lot less crazy than the reaction when Diana died, thank goodness.
Yeah but that was an untimely and tragic death with overtones of scandal and conspiracy so it was always going to elicit a different response to that of an elderly woman. Everyone knew the Queen didn't have much longer to go, it's not exactly a surprise that she's died.
The Diana thing wasn't helped by the initial very poor response from the Palace; that was one occasion the Queen really did drop a clanger in misreading the public mood.
Prove it.
Can’t prove the unprovable. Got any photo’s?
The only conspiracy theory I have heard suggested so far is that the HM’s coffin might be filled with potatoes
That rumour started doing the rounds with King Edward's coffin.
That rumour started doing the rounds with King Edward’s coffin.
I was just about to chip in with that..
Stop digging up old potatoes news
I have a theory about British people and queues. You claim to be good at them but that is just not true - for example why do you not queue in an orderly fashion in pubs where it would actually be useful? And bus queues, all very orderly when there are plenty of buses and seats, until there is a shortage of space on the bus and not everybody will get a seat, then all of a sudden it's an elbows out shoulders down rammy.
I think you like queues as it means you get to speak with strangers, without the fear that you might actually have to speak with them again. Other cultures have different ways of doing this.
The bit on BBC on the morning where Charlie Stayt talks to people in The Queue is hilarious! 9/10 I have seen so far "we heard everybody was coming and we don't want to miss out".
I think we can safely say that FOMO is playing a bigger part in some societal changes than many will admit.
Can’t prove the unprovable. Got any photo’s?
Its 2022 Jim. Feelz > Facts
for example why do you not queue in an orderly fashion in pubs where it would actually be useful?
Ah but there IS a queue in a pub, in as much as everyone at the bar knows who was there before them and whose turn it is to be served next. The fact that it's a long flat queue is just to confuse visitors.
Also - you love to tut about queues. I jump them all the time, sometimes without realising (see thepurist post) and sometimes on purpose because they are so vaguely constituted that one cannot be expected to notice them. The worst thing that ever happens? Sidey way looks and eye-rolling, some tutting etc. Occasionally I get called on it so just fake an Australian accent and fake apologise.
for example why do you not queue in an orderly fashion in pubs where it would actually be useful?
We all know where we are in the queue at the bar and I will point the bar staff at the next in line if it's not my turn. We're not savages!
Ah in my younger years being of small stature and a female, the barmaid would bypass me, as they always could flirt with the chaps. The thinking behind this is that the males then tipped the buxom barmaid and I would not. That is correct, as I'd been pushed in on so many times, I did not tip the barmaid.
Anyway back to queues, how on earth do they start up the queue again? Will there be a mad rugby scrum to get to the new/old queue, or as said above, is there a secret new queue to start up the old queue?
Ah in my younger years being of small stature and a female, the barmaid would bypass me, as they always could flirt with the chaps. The thinking behind this is that the males then tipped the buxom barmaid and I would not. That is correct, as I’d been pushed in on so many times, I did not tip the barmaid.
I'm afraid we're into a chicken and egg situation here though
I know from experience, as I've worked behind enough of them, bar staff are both non-judgemental (hate everyone equally) and completely mercenary. If you'd dropped a bigger tip than Nigel and Dave then you'd be getting served before them.
Simple as that.
Don't tip? ... then you're getting served last after all the people who say 'keep the change...'
This has got me thinking... what kind of deviant would stand in a queue for hours and hours on a Friday afternoon/Evening when the pubs are open? What the hell is wrong with these people?
We all know where we are in the queue at the bar and I will point the bar staff at the next in line if it’s not my turn. We’re not savages!
And by doing so, you ensure you ALWAYS get served next anyway, so nothing lost.
Sounds like you went in the wrong pubs Bunnyhop. Sandwich, thepurist and I would have made sure you got served in turn.
When I read that there's now a queue to join the queue, my mind exploded.
Not only was he spotted in the queue, he also had snacks
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blimey binners, how on earth did you know it was always Nigel and Dave who pushed in and gave the biggest tips?
As one gets older and wiser and more often the barmaids were replaced by young males, then yes I did get served and yes they were offered the change. tthew - definitely bad pub choices in my youth :O)
Edit: we need to know now what flavour crisps and which doughnut filling.
I'm now fantasising that at the end of this the coffin is opened and David Blaine pops out and thanks everyone for their involvement in his latest stunt
Or better still Meghan markle's dad
The perfect illustration of a queue isn’t a bar, as there always some pissed up dickhead who ruins it, plus the above mentioned tipping/flirting.
The perfect queue is a barbers shop. You walk into a room, you acknowledge who is in there. They go before you. Anyone who comes in after, after you. No appointments, no ‘I was next!’, just quiet, perfect, waiting till everyone that was there before you had been seen to, before your turn.
You're just showing off now because you've still got hair
Ah in my younger years being of small stature and a female, the barmaid would bypass me, as they always could flirt with the chaps. The thinking behind this is that the males then tipped the buxom barmaid and I would not. That is correct, as I’d been pushed in on so many times, I did not tip the barmaid.
This theory falls apart when inevitably the bar staff are predominantly male, and any sensible group went to the bar in mixed sex couples, the lady to get served and the gent to help carry.
Does the queue exit through Ye Olde Gifte Shoppe?
For some unfathomable reason, this has appeared in our house!
Someone has worked out how to maximise the mourning..
https://twitter.com/_richardparry_/status/1570706799975862272?s=46&t=T6e7gbpkTON4sHv-_vI0Kg
This theory falls apart when inevitably the bar staff are predominantly male, and any sensible group went to the bar in mixed sex couples, the lady to get served
Depends. I know one bar manager who always argued for serving attractive females who were flirting last. The reasoning was no chance in reality so might as well enjoy it for a while.
Busy pub it was hard to remember everyone who had tipped so that never worked but we did a mental queue of who was waiting regardless of the shouting.
Did win a tenner once after being out with a mate and mates of mates, one of whom was utterly convinced of his bar queue hopping ability so he challenged any to get served first as we walked into a pub. Bad luck on his part really that it was the pub I worked in.
tthew
Full MemberAnd by doing so, you ensure you ALWAYS get served next anyway, so nothing lost.
Every once in a while, it can happen that you do the "he's next" thing and then you DON'T get served next. And what we do in that situation is, we send that bartender and the person they served to guantanamo bay
With regards to THE queue. I wonder if people are trying to game it so they get to walk through whilst William and co are standing vigil.
an army of people and infrastructure and supplies spring up overnight to support people standing in a queue
I know that about 300 queuing have received medical assistant but what other support are they being offered?
Cups of tea and sandwiches?
If there's cake I might join the queue myself.
bit peeved that Beckham is queuing up, for a bargain 10,000 GBP I'd have happily queued for him, allowing him to jump in on the steps of westminster hall - when it gets exciting
Not read the whole thread, but I'd be surprised if the Queen is even in the box.
tomhoward - I love your description of the perfect queue in the barber's shop, however in no way does this help me, as I have never knowingly set foot in a barber's :0)
Re the pub situation. I must add that my experience of the rough and tumble and pushing in and lack of queuing in the pub was when I was very young (late 1970's early 1980's). However a sharp elbow and a high stiletto heel have come in handy with some drunkard no queuing idiot in the past.
Do people really tip at the pub? In my yoof I would proffer "one for yourself" in my local but that's as far as it went. Are those of you who tip drinking in proper pubs or "bars"?
I had to go to London Bridge for a meeting this morning so I walked along the river from Waterloo so I could marvel at the queue. It was a bit of an anti-climax if I'm honest.
The perfect queue is a barbers shop. You walk into a room, you acknowledge who is in there. They go before you. Anyone who comes in after, after you.
This is the Spanish way of queuing at the butchers/fishmongers/etc. You walk in, ask "¿Quién es el último?" (who's last?), said person will reply "Yo", and that's your position sorted. Even the old women respect the system.
Do people really tip at the pub?
Keep the change wasnt unknown but not really large tips aside from sometimes yanks buying food. Even then we generally failed the good service test since they (plus quite a few Europeans) tend to expect table service. So they sat down looking at us and we stood behind the bar polishing glasses.
I miss table service. Carry on chatting to your mates, or the randoms at the next table. Get the drink brought to you. And, yer, I was tipping when the pubs were doing it, anything to help.
Used to be "one for yourself" in pubs, which meant a 50p tip (yeah, old man)... then that disappeared and communicating the size of tip to staff behind the bar in a loud pub just become too much bother. "Keep the change" only really works with cash... which I use to buy beer just about never.
I for one will not be joining the queue and I have caught the occasional and repetitive news on THE Q, whilst on holiday in Peebles (cycling, and TweedLove)... The beeb cannot get enough.
I have to say, it reminds me of the sudden urge Brits had for toilet roll during the pandemic. Didn't need it, but felt the urge to join in with the hysteria.
Notwithstanding my underlying opinion of the Firm, I have to say I feel for Charles. He's lost his mum, can't grieve becaude he's being ferried around the country, and gets shipped into speak to the public intermittently. Give the guy a break. I, for one, think that coffin needs to be put in private for the family to mourn.
Tomorrow is going to be big. Today was small fry. Lots of family and friends of mine have (obviously) been working today… the weekend is different, they’re all aiming to get in the queue early tomorrow morning. The weekend is likely to be crazy. Good luck to anyone joining in.
I, for one, think that coffin needs to be put in private for the family to mourn.
To my mind that would be the most respectful, seemly, human, thing to do.
But that’s the whole point,the pomp and ceremony sort of goes with the territory.
They aren’t ‘normal’ people and this has to be perpetuated as part of the game.
He’s sort of been groomed for this from the day he was born,
Good luck to anyone joining in.
I am debating whether to head into London on Sunday to go to one of the indoor climbing walls. Cant be arsed dealing with packed trains and definitely having to rule out a couple of the walls which needs me to head through the centre and have also ruled out a bimble round either of the tates first.
Question is how much heavier the traffic at the main stations would be.
I thought today would have been busy since the royal presence was advertised yesterday so people trying to turn up for around this time.