Does queuing for pints in pubs herald the end of civilisation?

Londoners have embarked on some very strange, uncouth behaviour

- Josh Barrie

I like to think there was a time when Britain was normal. I can't imagine it ever was, but at least people didn't queue in pubs. These days that's exactly what's happening - drinkers standing in single file up to the bar as if they're waiting for a terrible coffee in Pret, or to place their order for a medium-hot half chicken at Nando's.

It's been going on for a while now, these nonsensical pub queues. Many have commented, questioning why and how humanity has fallen to such delinquency.

Until now, I've been holding my tongue, because I didn't really believe it was such an issue. I refused to believe it was happening. Drinkers may queue for airport bars or at some pitiful Travelodge in Swindon, possibly even at gigs at large concert venues, but surely not in everyday boozers or London bars? For shame, it's real. A tour of the X account @QueuesPub shines a sad spotlight on it all in its campaign to end what I suppose is a consequence of Covid. Then, queuing was necessary remember those pandemicinfused obstacle courses, those duct-taped corridors in white and red leading up to coffee machines? - and it has carried on.

"We queue for the bus, or for the checkout, not at bars," decries the @QueuesPub page.

"Message in your photos." And there are so many photos, from Hull to Leighton Buzzard, documenting a very real and disquieting crisis: I've seen some lines weaving out the door as expectant, supposedly polite (I think it's all a showy ruse) British punters line up and wait, probably tutting, for their Madri and sauvignon blanc.