At first glance I thought this queue must be for a show or movie. Wrong. These people are waiting (in the cold) to get into Betty's Tea Rooms in Harrogate (you see similar queues in York). Would it just be tourists I wonder or would locals (be daft enough to) queue too?? (No offence to locals or Betty's - just a personal aversion to queuing!).
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Jane, I too was astonished by these queues but soon became a fairly regular member of the Betty's throng, buoyed by how cheerfully people bore their wait and incremental progress towards a table in the warmth. In fact, there was often real camaraderie as conversations were struck up with one's proximal 'neighbours'. In retrospect I cherish this ritual of anticipation as a challenge to the mediocre gratification available in countless other places.
ReplyDeleteAh, wise one. Brief encounters in queues (triggers a special memory of a Time Square queue and a nice man...) and the pleasure of arrival which immediately banishes all the previous discomfort (rather like long-distance flying!).
ReplyDeleteActually I did have tea at Betty's - at the RHS Harlow Carr garden in Harrogate. On a tight budget, I have to walk longingly past such enticements (which maybe colours my queue comment!), but on this occasion I was with someone and in such a situation will willingly spend where I wouldn't do so on just moi!!