July 2022

6. The Canteen Line

Well, let’s just say there wasn’t one. I had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch from kindergarten to the seventh grade. Even in Pakistan, where we had to go to the only store that carried international foods to stock up on our pancake mix and cereal. But there was a time I wanted to get a drink from the canteen like everyone else. So, I took my money and headed to the Canteen as soon as it was lunch break. There I was met with a pulsing group of kids of all sizes holding up their rupees and calling out “Kaka ji! Kaka ji!” I stood to the side sure the “line” would dissipate and I could simply ask for my juice. But there was no telling where more students came from and how they got in and left. It was truly a survival of the fittest moment, where even the tiniest students pushed their way forward ramming into ribs to get what they needed. Before long, the lunch period was up and we had to go outside.

While I was outside, our class president asked me about the Canteen. I had told her I didn’t get anything. She had asked if I even got to each lunch. When I told her I didn’t she was shocked and immediately sent me back to eat my lunch despite the teacher’s orders that all students must remain outside. Slightly surprised by her concern and understanding how ridiculous it was that I didn’t get to have my lunch, I went up to the empty classroom and pulled out my peanut butter sandwich. I could only nibble a few bites between my tears.

What was I crying about? I was angry for sure. Why wasn’t there any order? Why does everything have to be so backwards and raucous? Isn’t there anyone else like me who just wants to stand in line, get what they need, and move on? I was also angry at myself. Why wasn’t I strong enough? Even the smaller students were able to make some noise to get what they wanted. I was angry at the entire system as well. This is supposed to be a school that boasts about its academics, character-building, and scores. Yet people can’t even stand in line?

Fast-forward to now, and I see cartoons coming out in Pakistan about exactly this. In an episode of Quaid se baateiN, Zainab encourages others to stand in a line to get what they need. It makes me think that if a people cannot even follow this basic organization, then how can the rest of their public and community matters be followed? It may seem like something simple and those who are the lions of the canteen may scoff at how soft we are for wanting to stand in a line, but these are basic methods used to keep a community safe, respectable, and just.

In how many crowds have women been groped? How can we ensure that everyone who has come to get what they need has had that need met? Where is the basic manners of allowing elders ahead of you or someone in more need to go first? The simple act of making a line manifests itself in so many other areas in a household and community. After this basic discipline is met, then the community can move on to other ways of improving to meet even greater needs of those around them. But if we cannot see one another, are constantly shouting in hopes to be heard, and aren’t paying attention to others around us, then what change can we bring? That one day in the canteen (I didn’t go again in my year at Beaconhouse), has always left me shocked, upset, and sorry for the situation our country has always been trying to come out of.

Ironically, when homeschooling, the common joke was that homeschool kids don’t know how to stand in a line because they never have to. In a way it is poking fun at their social skills and lack of community involvement. And when you think about it more, what is the difference when we are asked to stand in line to pray? Before beginning to pray, we are always reminded to not leave gaps and stand shoulder to shoulder. Making a proper line has deeper effects than we can imagine.

COMMENT: What is your view on making lines and following rules in small spaces like a cafeteria?