Time seems to pass slowly when we're waiting for something. On the other hand, time flies when we're doing something enjoyable or spending time with loved ones. As Albert Einstein once said, time is relative.
Today, I felt time passing slowly because I had to wait. Interestingly, I had to wait in 15-minute increments. Before I knew it, over an hour had passed, and the room I was promised by the hotel's front desk officer still wasn't available. What's with the 15-minute waiting intervals? It's interesting to know it deeper.
From what I already know, 15-minute waiting periods are commonly used in various services. For example, in healthcare, the waiting time for non-prescription medication is typically 15 minutes. Several restaurants I've visited also adopt this waiting period. Apparently, 15 minutes is an ideal waiting time, as it doesn't feel too long.
Waiting without a specified time frame can be boring or frustrating. In my experience today, I was asked to wait three times, with 15-minute intervals each time. That means I waited a total of 45 minutes for my room. Interestingly, the front desk officer had a clever way to make the waiting experience more comfortable.
During the final 15-minute wait, they offered me a complimentary drink at their exclusive café [The Vintage Lounge] – either coffee or tea. As a coffee lover, I ordered a cup of espresso. It was a nice touch. They managed to alleviate my boredom while waiting.
After the coffee was served, I sipped it slowly. As it turned out, the coffee had met my daily caffeine dose. It made me feel relaxed and energized.
Before I knew it, 30 minutes had passed, and the room key was finally handed to me while I was still sitting on their plush café sofa. Strangely, I didn't immediately head to my room once I had the key. Instead, I spent another 10 minutes sipping my espresso until the very last drop. What a funny waiting!