Failure of queuing Theory in Cyprus

If you have done a graduation in any discipline, you should have encountered the basics of OR (Operations Research) which would have definitely included a lesson on queuing Theory. The most basic Queue which one can encounter is the Single Line – Single Servicing Entity Queue. For the layman, this means that there is a single queue which is serviced by a single servicing entity and the people in the queue go to the servicing entity one by one. This can also be called the FIFO Queue (First in First out). This is the practice in most places like post offices, banks etc. Of course, you have the slightly different variant, wherein you have a single queue, but multiple servicing entities, where the efficiency of each servicing entity comes into the equation.

Now, back to my experience. Today morning, I went to the Income Tax office to meet our assigned Tax Officer to file the returns. I went at 9 AM. If i had gone in at 9AM, my conversation should have been like:

Me: Hi, I came two days back. You asked me to come today to collect my documents.

She: What is your name?

Me: rajaram.

She:Here it is.

Me: Thank you. Bye

She: Bye.

Probably, it would have taken 43 seconds and I would have been in office on time.

But at 9AM, there was another person inside the office and hence, I had to wait outside.

After a few minutes, a Britisher came and joined me in the queue. This was, or rather supposed to be, a straight-forward FIFO Queue.

It was 9.15 AM now and I was already getting impatient.

Out of nowhere came an elderly Cypriot Gentleman and peeped inside the office. Then we heard a shrieking voice “Manamoooo” (Pronouned like Cho Chweeeeet). And this Cypriot guy went inside the office. The Britisher and I exchanged strange looks.

I consoled myself by saying that he was let in because he was old.

15 minutes passed by.

Then came a sparsely dressed Cypriot Girl, who also peeped into the office. Then we heard the same voice again “Manamoooooo”. She also went it. She had a big folder in her hands (looked like an agent).

The britisher was visibly upset. He asked me “Shall i also peep inside and shout Manamooo”. I told him that the lady inside would probably discover him to be a fake, with his accent. The girl inside took out a piece of cake and both started eating it and discussing all the worldly affairs. Another 15 mins passed by. Then, she took out a huge bundle of tax forms from her folder. The Britisher almost fainted.

Finally, at 10 Am, it was my turn to go inside.

The Britisher, with a very concerned face, asked me “Are you also going to do this manamooo thing? “