Brits have revealed how long they’re happy to wait for things – including eight minutes to get served at the bar and 11 weeks for surgery.
A poll, of 2,000 adults, revealed that 10 minutes is the longest they will wait in the supermarket queue before getting annoyed, and eight minutes for a loo cubicle to become free.
When it comes to health, six weeks was seen as a sensible wait for a dentist appointment and three weeks for an appointment with a GP.
The research, commissioned by Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, also revealed trying to get through to customer service on the phone is the most frustrating thing, closely followed by waiting to see a doctor, and getting stuck in traffic.
Jim Easton, the brand’s chief executive, said: “Life is seemingly full of frustrating waits. Of course, you can be more accepting of some over others in life, such as a wait for a cold pint or to get through airport security.
“But for health matters, clearly, people would like to wait less than they do currently for GP or surgery appointments.”
The research also revealed the ways people look to cut down the time they wait for things, with 30% paying extra for fast delivery when online shopping and 39% binge-watch TV shows rather than waiting for the next episode.
Anyone planning to avoid bank holiday traffic this weekend won’t be alone, with half setting off early on long journeys to avoid having to queue on the roads, according to the OnePoll.com data.
How impatient are you? Take the quiz to find out!
Just under half (42%) have admitted to skipping the queue in the past, with 9% frequent offenders. But many still think waiting is a British pastime, with 57% believing we’re more patient than other nations.
However, 36% think it’s OK to skip the queue for pressing medical issues and 35% for safety reasons.
A third (32%) have lost their cool when having to wait for something, with two thirds of those doing so over something insignificant.
But 31% are regularly left genuinely frustrated over things such as waits for surgery or to see a medical professional and 62% don’t think current wait times to see a doctor are acceptable, with 67% of the same opinion when it comes to surgery appointments.
Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group, added: “The research has also shown more people are considering the idea of private healthcare, which would also benefit the NHS by shortening waiting lists.
“Findings from this study have shown that the little things in life can annoy people when they’re having to wait, but there’s a real frustration when it comes to things that are so much more serious.
“Your health above all else is something you shouldn’t have to wait for, particularly if you’re in pain or concerned.”