Queuing: The perceived waiting time is the culprit

In the 1950s New York City, the problem was waiting in line for the elevators of the city's new skyscrapers. But building managers soon realised the problem wasn't the waiting time - it was the perceived waiting time.

The solution was to add floor indicators showing people the elevator's progress and adding floor-to-ceiling mirrors near the elevators to distract and occupy people. Similar solutions are found in airports, doctor's waiting rooms and supermarkets.