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We arrive. I witness the horrendous line with my own eyes and think, “Good things come to those who wait.” Shake Shack’s burgers may be worth the task of waiting, but the black & white custard milkshake is what truly propels me toward the end of the line. Note: Boyfriend is already griping, as he is accompanying me under duress.
SATURDAY, 12:35 p.m.
Some boyfriend! He’s already abandoned me to purchase water and lounge in the park while I wait in line so that he can simply reap the rewards of my fortitude. 12:45 p.m.
After seven minutes of staring at branches swaying in the breeze and squirrels frolicking, I’m beyond bored. I pull out my iPhone to hunker down and sift through emails. Since learning of David Allen’s work-life management plan GTD (Getting Things Done) and his theory on Inbox (0), I feel a sense of urgency to increase my productivity, and Allen would be ashamed that I’m consistently stuck at Inbox (100+).
12:52 p.m.
Instead of whittling down my inbox, I find myself already lacking focus and texting with my boyfriend. He found a shady bench and wants a status update. I hate to shatter his hopes and dreams, but it is going to be a while. 1:08 p.m.
1:14 p.m.
Bored. “Good things come to those who wait.”
1:27 p.m. I’m more bored than before while visions of burgers and shakes dance in my head.
Foursquare, I completely forgot to check-in on Foursquare! I check-in and find myself at Shake Shack with 41 others. With my iPhone out again, I return to the task of my inbox. 1:30 p.m.
1:35 p.m. Twenty-seven minutes later, my focus remains lackluster,
by Charlotte Bounous Patience is a virtue, they say. Well, the first individual to utter such words may as well have been a New Yorker. And on a warm summer day in the city, the old English proverb, “Good things come to those who wait,” better be your mantra when strolling up to Shake Shack’s original Madison Square Garden location and proceeding to stand in the harrowing line. Ah, yes, the ubiquitous Shake Shack; it’s written about in The New York Times and New York Magazine, it’s mentioned on blogs and Twitter, it’s featured on Food Network, and its newest location will debut in the Theater District this July. To further illustrate its ubiquitousness, the chain is expanding in and outside the city and state — and the country! In time, residents of the Upper East Side; Saratoga Springs, New York; Miami Beach, Florida; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Saudi Arabia; and Dubai will be devouring Shake Shack’s scrumptious burgers, fries, milkshakes and more. These poor folks have months (and quite possibly years) to wait 4
before they get their hands on — and greased by — a Shake Shack burger; you would think that would give me a little perspective. But, wait, I still have to wait an hour and a half in Manhattan, and while I’m not pleased about it, I do it for the food. Glancing at the online Shack Cam prior to departing my apartment, I decide to go prepared with my boyfriend and iPhone in tow. Of course, convincing him to join me is a feat in itself since he unequivocally loathes lines. I figure, I’ll let my boyfriend keep me occupied, and in those moments where his iPhone is keeping him preoccupied, I’ll let mine do the same.
and I find myself getting lost in the conversations of those around me; to put it bluntly, I’m shamelessly eavesdropping. The loquacious group of girls in front of me has broken down into pairs, and they’re chatting about everything from light-hearted stories to deep issues. I learn that Girl #1 is a medical school student who has recently taken a leave of absence from school due to personal reasons and is spending her year off completing research at Mount Sinai. Girl #2 is probing her with questions but also reassuring her that she made the correct decision. Their conversation has my mind reeling, and I find myself reflecting on my decision to take time away from being an undergrad years ago. I remember my parents reassuring me, and I drift off… After twenty-three minutes of a contemplative and reflective journey into my past, something jolts me to the realization that I have moved past the Shake Shack line sign. Seriously, I was daydreaming — if you will — for twenty-three minutes? I am so close to the walk-up window where I place my order that I can taste it. Yuck, it tastes like steel and wood. I need to a burger and shake immediately to wash down the imaginary aftertaste.
1:58 p.m.
Top: The Shack line winds and wraps through Madison Square Park. Bottom: The brave ones celebrate their victory by placing their orders.
“I would like two single cheeseburgers, an order of fries and a black & white shake, please.” 2:02 p.m.
Victory! I alert my boyfriend via text that I have our food in tow.
2:08 p.m.
Needless to say, our black & white shake, etc. were worth the wait, but maybe I should commission Danny Meyer to alter the name of his popular burger chain because that line at the Shack is barely “shaking.” In a city such as New York, though, lines are everywhere. You just have to take a lesson from David Allen’s GTD and learn how to utilize your waiting time. While I did not do so effectively this particular time, at least I came with a plan; I will have to focus on execution next time. Just remember, the task — and misery — of waiting in lines can be alleviated a bit through the company of others, daydreaming, gadgets like iPhones, or whatever else suits your fancy, including books and puzzles. Note: If you plan to catch up on your laundry list of unreturned phone calls during your line-downtime, be aware that others are most likely eavesdropping. Oh, and if you have the disposable income, just pay someone else to wait in line for you! 5