Libyans and Queues Obsession

https://twitter.com/suhaibtantoush1

2014 was the breaking point for Libya which has put its toll on Libyans ever since. The US dollar continuous rise against the Libyan dinar made life difficult. Middle-class families are literally surviving life because it is not convenient anymore. There are only poor and rich people in this equation.

The unstable crisis and the situation here politically, socially, and economically led people to stand in queues. You are maybe wondering why they would do that. You can find endless queues at banks, gas stations, grocery shops, you name it. They take turns to be able to purchase the necessary items needed in our daily life.

However, recently I have noticed that whenever people hear about any upcoming crisis or possible conflicts; you will find people literally creating infinite queues especially at gas stations and rumors spread like wildfire. Sometimes I pass by a closed station and I find cars waiting in front of the gate just waiting. It escalated to be an obsession regardless of the real problem.

The crisis made people anxious and anticipated. Although some groups were created to facilitate and support Libyan citizens by providing available supported goods, unblocked roads caused by conflicts or any other accident. Queues became an obsession now. Libyans took the concept to a whole new level. For some reason, it became okay because they have adapted to it. Nevertheless, I wouldn't put the blame on people because as I mentioned above, the crisis created this.

I asked some family and friends about their insights about it and so many have described the good more than the bad. All of them have agreed that how bad and terrible queues are but they have made friends with so many people because they have been helping each other despite the crisis. This can show the kindness people hold for one another. 

Scientists say that doing an activity for 21 days can make it eventually a habit. Only it took us almost four years now! The pressure queues have put on Libyans is beyond describable and imaginable. People sleep and wake thinking or planning for their next queue. It is sad to see and witness what people of my country go through every day but I know that it won't last for long. We will make it through.  

The drawing above is created by a very talented Libyan man @suhaibtantoush1 whom I would like to thank for this amazing piece that sums up the situation in an ironic way.