This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at UIUC chapter.
If you’ve ever been to the Chipotle on campus around dinnertime then chances are you’ve waited in the god-awful line that comes with it. At its worst, this bad boy clocks in at around an hour. But you stuck it out, because that beautiful burrito waiting at the end makes it all worth it. But not before going through all 13 stages of the dreaded Chipotle line.
1. Walk in, see the line and consequently feel your heart fall.
2. Get in line anyways (crying inside) because you can’t leave now, your heart is SET on a burrito and your stomach will accept nothing else.
3. Tell yourself “It’s not that bad,” or “It could be worse.”
4. Stare envious daggers at those clever bastards who thought to order ahead of time online.
5. Make a mental note to download the app and order ahead next time.
6. Social media overload. Take your mind off the wait by catching up on your 1,569 closest friends via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
7. Jitters set in. Tap your foot impatiently…oh wait, you’ve moved up a little bit and can almost see the counter. Stay strong.
8. Listen in on the conversation of the group behind you, which actually holds your attention for a minute. (He said WHAT?)
9. Text back anyone and everyone who has ever texted you. Ever.
10. Checks social media again. Damn it. No new posts.
11. Wait, you forgot Snapchat! Ugh never mind, they deleted the ‘best friends’ feature so it is now rendered useless. You can’t take this much longer.
12. Your legs hurt from standing, your mouth is watering and your stomach is threatening to spontaneously collapse in on itself.
13. The struggle consumes you and you’re about to get out of line. Your head falls in defeat and the tears start, but then, “Hi! Yes I’ll have a burrito bowl, brown rice, no beans…”
Check out these other great articles for the Chipotle-obsessed: