Step 1: Find a comfortable spot in the waiting room. Try not to think about the fluorescent lights overhead, but rather, the subtle nuances of the carpet pattern.
Step 2: Bring a book. Any book. It doesn't matter if it's just a phonebook from 1987. The principle is that you're prepared.
Step 3: When someone calls your name, don't get up immediately. Take your time, savor the moment, and pretend you've just been really into the book.
Step 4: When you finally reach the front of the line, remember that the person behind the counter is not your friend. Treat them with the respect and deference due to a stranger who holds your fate in their hands.
The Rituals of Requests