A Way to Occupy Time.......

....... Decide to post something in an Italian Post Office!

For those from "the great south land", and our cousins across the Tasman who have not experienced this wonder let me explain the process.

• First, find a post office, which in itself can take some considerable time.
• Next, enter.  Here you will see people milling around, but don't join them yet.  You must first find the machine that issues the numbers of the order that people will be attended to.  
• Once found your dilemma is to decide what button to press as there are four or five to select from.  Watch closely those that follow and you will see that they will be faced with similar indecision as you, with their finger hovering over several until after some seconds they make a decisive decision and hit one.  But - there will be those who wonder about their choice during the course of the waiting period and go back periodically to check if they have made the proper decision.
• Next, take advantage of the seats provided for your comfort.  They are provided for a reason, and there have even been bar tables added too where you can rest an arm and take the weight off your feet!  These tables also serve a double purpose as a leaning space to write should you need to fill out any paperwork, once you have seen an assistant!
• Now there is nothing for you to do except sit back and relax.  Nothing you do is going hasten the process and so here is an opportunity to observe how others wait, pacing up and down, tapping a foot impatiently, or even starting a conversation about how long it is all taking with those around you! 
• If you are very lucky your number may pop up on the screen within 45 minutes, but be prepared for the long haul as it could take over an hour - just to buy a stamp to post a letter!  

As time passes you will realise why there are seats in such a place, and you will look with wondrous eyes on a space where you can not do a single thing to hasten the process - no forms are available to fill out while you wait, no envelopes can be addressed while you wait - everything is hidden in cupboard's behind the counter, and so the only option is to queue and wait patiently!