Patience might be a virtue, but for a lot of people (myself included!), it’s in short supply.
Chronically impatient people operate at a speed that often clashes with the slow nature of many things in life. They thrive on action, progress, and efficiency, which means they often have little tolerance for anything that feels like a waste of time. Here are just a few of the things that push their limits and test their fast-paced approach to life.
1. Long queues
There’s nothing worse than standing in a never-ending line, whether you’re waiting for a coffee, posting a letter, or heading into a theme park. For someone who values getting things done, waiting in line feels like the ultimate time-waster. They’ll do anything to avoid it — whether it’s visiting places during off-peak hours or using self-service machines. Progress, even if it’s just a little bit, is always better than standing still.
2. Endless small talk
Small talk can be tough for people who prefer getting straight to the point. Chatting about the weather or what you did last weekend? It can feel like a drag. They’d much rather jump into something that actually feels meaningful. They’re not anti-social, they just want conversations that lead somewhere. If a chat starts to feel like it’s going nowhere, they’ll be the first to steer it towards something more interesting.
3. Slow-moving traffic
There’s nothing that tests patience more than sitting in traffic. Watching the car in front of you move at a snail’s pace, with nothing but brake lights ahead, can make you feel stuck. It’s not just the delay — it’s the feeling of being trapped in a situation you can’t change. To make it bearable, they’ll often rely on apps to find quicker routes. After all, moving, even if it’s just a tiny bit, feels better than staying stuck.
4. Repeating themselves
Having to explain the same thing again and again can really get under the skin of someone who’s all about efficiency. Whether it’s going over something at work or telling a friend the same story multiple times, repetition just feels like a waste of energy. They prefer clear, direct communication from the get-go. If you’re paying attention, you won’t need them to circle back.
5. Unnecessary bureaucracy
For someone who’s always looking for a quicker way to get things done, red tape can be the ultimate frustration. The endless forms, the approval processes that go on forever… it all feels like a slow, painful grind. The more steps involved, the more their frustration builds. They’ll often try to bypass the system by finding someone who can speed things up or cut out unnecessary steps. Efficiency is key, and red tape is definitely not part of the plan.
6. People who are indecisive
Indecision is another big trigger. Watching someone struggle to make a decision — whether it’s picking what to eat or choosing a solution to a problem — feels like torture. Rather than sit and wait, they’ll often take charge and make the decision themselves. Action, even if it’s not perfect, is far better than dithering and wasting time.
7. Overcomplicated instructions
Detailed, step-by-step instructions are a nightmare for someone who just wants to get to the point. They prefer a quick summary or a demo that shows them what to do. The longer the explanation, the more restless they get. If something feels too complicated, they’re more likely to skip through it or figure things out as they go. Trial and error seems faster than sitting through a long-winded guide.
8. Waiting for replies
For impatient people, waiting for a response — whether it’s a text, email, or phone call — can be excruciating. They like things to move quickly, so when a reply doesn’t come right away, it feels like wasted time. They’ll often send follow-up messages or try multiple ways to get an answer. Silence can feel like they’re stuck in limbo, so they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the conversation moving.
9. Long explanations or stories
When a story goes on and on, without ever really getting to the point, it’s enough to make someone lose interest. Whether it’s a colleague giving a detailed update or a friend going over every single detail of a trip, if it feels like it’s dragging, it’s easy to zone out. They like communication that’s clear and to the point. This doesn’t mean they don’t care, they just don’t want to wade through extra info to get to what really matters.
10. Being put on hold
Being told to ‘please hold’ on a call is a guaranteed way to frustrate someone who’s always in a rush. The wait feels endless, and the feeling of being ignored only makes it worse. If the hold time is too long, they’ll often hang up and try a different route or look for online options. They value their time, and being stuck waiting is the opposite of what they want.
11. Slow websites or apps
When websites or apps take forever to load, it can drive anyone mad. If something takes more than a few seconds to open, they’re already looking for a faster option. They’re so used to instant results that any delay feels like it’s wasting their time. Efficiency is key, so if a site is slow, they’ll ditch it and try something else.
12. Group decisions
Trying to get everyone on the same page in a group setting can feel painfully slow. The back-and-forth of conflicting opinions just adds to the frustration, and before they know it, time’s been wasted on indecision. To speed things up, they’ll often jump in with a suggestion or make a final call themselves. While they value working with other people, they prefer to avoid getting stuck in endless discussions.
13. Repetitive tasks
Doing the same thing over and over again — whether it’s at work or at home — feels like time wasted. Impatient people crave variety and efficiency, so tasks that require repetition can feel like a slog. They’ll try to find ways to make things quicker, whether that means automating the task or handing it off to someone else. If they have to repeat something, they’ll try to make it interesting by setting challenges or multitasking.
14. Being told to “calm down”
Telling someone to “calm down” when they’re already feeling impatient is a guaranteed way to make things worse. It feels dismissive and doesn’t help solve the issue. What they really need is action — something practical that will move things along. Instead of telling them to relax, suggesting a solution or offering help is way more effective.
