How to shorten waiting times by changing the waiting experience?

We all know that waiting can be a frustrating experience—whether you're stuck in traffic, waiting for a meal, or killing time between activities on vacation. However, one thought-provoking story about a train journey teaches us an important lesson: improving the waiting experience can be more valuable than reducing the actual waiting time.

In this story, a group of engineers was tasked with shortening the travel time of a train journey from London to Paris. After careful analysis, they proposed building new tracks from London to the coast at the steep cost of £6 billion, which would shave off 40 minutes from the overall journey. While this would technically make the trip faster, another suggestion was made that completely reframed the problem: rather than investing billions in infrastructure, what if the train company hired the world's top male and female models to walk through the train and serve free drinks to the passengers? Not only would the passengers be delighted by the service, but some might even wish the trip was longer!

The moral of this story is that improving the experience of waiting can often be more effective than simply making the wait shorter. If people are entertained, relaxed, or engaged, they don’t mind the passing of time—they may even enjoy it. This principle applies in many areas, from transportation to everyday activities. And that’s where swimfishy.com (Fishy) comes in: transforming mundane waiting periods into engaging, creative experiences for children.

Fishy is an innovative online web application that allows children to download and color fish-themed pages, upload their artwork via a mobile phone, and watch their colorful fish swim in a virtual aquarium displayed on both the phone and a connected TV. With Fishy, children can be fully engaged, entertained, and even excited during waiting times, turning what used to be a boring period into a memorable experience.

Let’s explore how Fishy can revolutionize waiting in a variety of real-world scenarios.

Restaurants: Fun While Waiting for the Meal

Kids painting Fishys in a restaurant

One of the most common places where children need to pass the time is at restaurants. Waiting for food can feel endless, especially when kids are restless. Instead of handing them a generic coloring sheet and crayons, what if restaurants offered Fishy?

Here’s how it works: As soon as families are seated, the restaurant staff provides children with fish-themed coloring pages. Once the kids finish coloring, they take a photo of their artwork using a mobile phone, which can then be displayed on the restaurant’s TV screens. The colorful fish that the kids have created come to life, swimming in a virtual fish tank for everyone to see. This interactive experience keeps children occupied and entertained, while their parents can enjoy a little peace before the meal arrives.

This creative twist on the typical restaurant activity makes waiting for food not only tolerable but fun. The added entertainment value might even encourage families to stay longer and order more, making Fishy a win for both customers and businesses alike.

Hotels: Keeping Kids Engaged Between Activities

When families travel and stay at hotels, there are often gaps of time between activities. Whether they’re waiting to check in, relaxing between sightseeing tours, or hanging out in the hotel lounge, kids can get bored easily. That’s where Fishy can make a difference.

Hotels can offer Fishy as a family-friendly amenity in playrooms or lobbies. Imagine children being handed fish-themed coloring pages while parents check in. Once the kids finish coloring, their creations can be uploaded to a mobile phone and displayed on a TV in the lobby or playroom, where they can watch their fish swim around in an animated aquarium. Not only does this keep the children happily engaged, but it also allows parents to relax and enjoy a stress-free check-in experience.

For hotels, this becomes a unique selling point, helping to create memorable stays for families and ensuring higher satisfaction. Fishy makes those in-between moments fun for the entire family.

Airports: Easing the Stress of Travel for Families

Kids painting Fishys in airports

Airports are another place where Fishy can make a big difference. Waiting for a flight can be stressful for parents and children alike. Long security lines, delays, and extended layovers can make even the most exciting trip feel like a drag for kids.

Fishy offers an easy, engaging solution. Many airports now have family-friendly lounges or play areas, and by incorporating Fishy, airports can create a space where children are entertained while waiting for their flight. Families can download fish-themed coloring pages, and after the children color their fish, they can upload the images and watch them swim in a virtual aquarium displayed on a TV screen in the lounge. This not only keeps the kids occupied, but it also helps reduce the stress that comes with traveling as a family.

By providing a fun and creative distraction, Fishy transforms the airport waiting experience, making it more enjoyable and relaxing for both children and their parents.

Doctor’s Offices: Calming Waiting Room Anxiety

Doctor’s office visits often involve long waits, and for children, these can be particularly stressful. Whether waiting for a routine check-up or something more serious, the sterile environment and nervousness about the appointment can make the experience uncomfortable.

Fishy can help alleviate this anxiety by offering children an engaging and calming activity. While sitting in the waiting room, children can color fish-themed pages and upload their artwork to a mobile phone. Watching their personalized fish swim in a digital aquarium on a TV screen provides a soothing, interactive experience. This distraction helps to calm children’s nerves and keep them relaxed while waiting for their appointment, making the visit to the doctor much less daunting.

For medical offices, adding Fishy to the waiting room shows a commitment to patient care, making the overall experience more pleasant for families.

The Psychology of Making Waiting More Fun

As demonstrated by the story of the London-to-Paris train journey, improving the experience of waiting can often be more impactful than shortening the time itself. Fishy doesn’t speed up time, but it makes it more enjoyable. By engaging children in a creative, interactive activity, they become immersed in the moment, and the wait feels shorter and more fun. This also reduces the pressure on parents to constantly entertain their kids, allowing for a more relaxed environment.

Conclusion: Transforming Downtime with Fishy

Family painting Fishy coloring page

Fishy transforms waiting time into an opportunity for creativity, learning, and entertainment. From restaurants and hotels to airports, doctor’s offices, and museums, this interactive app makes waiting a joyful experience for children.

Instead of dreading downtime, families can look forward to it—knowing that with Fishy, their kids will be engaged and entertained. By embracing the lesson from the train story, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and create lasting memories by making waiting time not just bearable but delightful.

With Fishy, the next time you’re waiting, you might just wish for a few extra minutes!