The TikTok trends create huge lines in real life. Don't get carried away by the craze.
Not very organized.
Lines are a constant in our daily life: at the supermarket, the DMV, or in stores like Target over the weekend. However, there was a time when queues were seen as something negative. Although no one enjoys waiting, we have allowed it to become a significant part of our lives. In many cases, I would say that waiting has transformed into the main attraction, rather than just an inconvenience.
When we hear about those places or products that everyone recommends, such as the best croissant or an exclusive sale, it often involves waiting in a long line. The influence of the internet has allowed this to become the norm. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have simplified our experience in the real world, turning it into a reflection of what is trendy. This phenomenon has led to a culture of excessive queuing.
Take, for example, El Califa de León, the only Michelin-starred taqueria in Mexico City that opened a pop-up in New York. This event generated long waits driven largely by attention on social media, despite multiple reviews being lukewarm. The resulting line was what really mattered.
In my neighborhood, Taqueria Ramirez experienced the same phenomenon. It became popular after being featured in the New York Times' list of the 100 best restaurants. This brought an influx of customers, making it the norm to wait up to 45 minutes for tacos, even though their flavor remained spectacular. However, when the taqueria was no longer on the list, the lines dropped nearly in half. Curiously, the quality didn't change; it simply ceased to be a point of interest on social media.
The culture of waiting in line has grown so much that there are people who make money just by queuing for special sales. The obsession with capturing the perfect moment, like a selfie with the Mona Lisa, has led the Louvre to reconsider how it displays its artwork. Events like Taylor Swift concerts also showcase this trend, with fans arriving several hours early to buy tour merchandise.
This phenomenon is not limited to one city. Small towns, like a village in Vermont, have been overwhelmed by influencers flocking in masses to capture images of its natural beauty, causing problems with traffic and influx of visitors.
So while I will continue to wait in line for my favorite tacos, perhaps the next time I hear about a new "must-try," I should let others venture into that wait.
