The Long Queue

Chris Anderson's book, The Long Tail, discuss about how the Internet has opened up the market and added new rules to the game of business. Companies will have to adopt new strategies on the upgraded playing field or be perished. It is very insightful and I recommend reading it.

One example cited is, on the Internet, useful information co-exists with the useless junk. Google very cleverly uses the wisdom of crowds to display the search results. And it works!

In Singapore, one is spoilt for the choices of food and the convenience of getting them. Food critics such as Makansutra compile the best of food places around. In the event that we just want to have a meal wherever we happen to be at that moment, how do we choose from the many food stalls? Clearly, there is no signboard around showing the ranking of all stalls.

Today, while having my dinner, I encountered this phenomenon. The photo didn't turn up too well, but there were almost 20 people queueing before the stall which was not opened for business yet, although the stall owner was preparing the food at that time.



Either the wisdom of crowds, herd behaviour, Kiasuism or a combination was at work. I shall call it simply, The Long Queue.

I'll probably try the food from the stall sometime next week if it opens and I have the time. By the way, the stall is Hup Seng Hainanese Curry Rice, and is located next to a wet market at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh.