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Waiting can be excruciating, especially when you desperately want something to happen — sooner. Whether stuck in a long line, checking your inbox for an important message, waiting for a sign from the heavens, or counting down the minutes until the weekend, the feeling of time dragging by is sometimes unbearable.
 
But don’t let boredom get the best of you. We at Bored Panda like to embrace the moment with funny, relatable memes that capture the absurdity of the everyday wait.

Our “waiting meme” collection has some of the funniest and spot-on depictions of what it’s like to be stuck on lingering. When we say these memes capture the frustration, restlessness, and hopelessness that comes with the wait — we mean it. So, instead of longingly staring at the clock, scroll through this list, and don't forget to tag a friend who also might be stuck waiting. 

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#1

All Pets Go to Heaven

A Waiting meme showing an angel with wings standing next to a gate in the clouds, looking at a cat and a dog sitting side by side, facing a rainbow. The angel says, "You two know you can come in, right?" The cat responds, "No thank you. We're waiting for someone." The scene suggests the pets are in heaven, waiting for their owner.

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    #2

    Boss In Waiting Mode

    A Waiting meme showing two climbers scaling a wall, with text labeling the climber in the foreground as "Me doing a side quest." In the background, there is a large robot figure visible over some trees, labeled "The boss waiting a few hundred metres away." The meme humorously contrasts the climbers’ focused activity with the looming presence of a much bigger challenge nearby.

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    #3

    “Change My Mind”

    A Waiting meme featuring a man sitting at an outdoor table with a sign that reads "CHANGE MY MIND." The text above the image says, "Nurse: So what can we do for you?" followed by "Patients waiting on brain surgery:" implying that the patients are skeptical or have strong opinions, humorously comparing their situation to the man challenging others to change his mind.

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    Impatience Could Be Affecting Your Waistline, According to Research

    A study by the Royal Economic Society 2014 found that individuals who display impatience and endure longer wait times are more likely to experience weight gain (1). 

    When individuals react negatively to time inconsistencies or delays, they may be more likely to make less optimal choices about their diet. This stress could potentially lead to undesired fluctuations in their BMI. 

    The research findings emphasize the importance of waiting patiently and approaching the situation with composure.
    #4

    After Pushing the Wrong Button

    A Waiting meme featuring four images of Kermit the Frog in different contemplative poses, such as sitting by a river, thinking on a rock, leaning against a post, and staring out a rainy window. The text above the images reads, "When you press restart instead of shut down," humorously capturing the feeling of waiting and regret after accidentally restarting a computer when intending to turn it off.

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    devotedtodreams
    devotedtodreams
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me when I press "Shut down" instead of "Hibernate" and have to boot it up again XD

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    #5

    “Since Last Millennium”

    A Waiting meme showing a man in a bright yellow suit standing behind a tree, rubbing his hands together and looking eager. The text above reads, "People in the year 2999 waiting to be able to say 'I haven't seen you since last millennium,'" humorously depicting the anticipation of someone waiting for an opportunity to use this phrase.

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    The Surprising History of Waiting in Line

    While it seems like we have been waiting in line for as long as we can remember, historically, we haven’t. In fact, the most exhaustive English dictionary, 1775, didn’t even have a word for standing in line, writes Shaunacy Ferris for Mental Floss in 2016 (2).

    In 1837, French revolutionary Thomas Carlyle described the revolutionaries as a “long string of purchasers arranged in a tail, so that first to come be the first served.” 

    In 1854, an American traveler chronicled his experience of “the queue,” which he observed while traveling through France, describing it as a novel concept. When Industrialization finally arrived, lining up became commonplace as people piled to work, went on their daily commute, and bought their wares. 
    #6

    “Still Loading”

    A Waiting meme featuring a comic strip with characters from a cartoon. The first panel shows a loading bar at 100%, with text saying, "your loading bar is at 100%." The next panels show two characters: one, resembling Patrick from SpongeBob, asking, "100% means it's done, right?" and being reassured, "of course." The character then asks, "So that means I can play?" only to be told "No." The final panels show the character looking confused, asking, "Why not?" with the reply, "It's still loading," humorously highlighting the frustration of waiting for something that appears to be ready but isn't.

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    #7

    “When You’ve Finished the Series”

    A Waiting meme featuring three images of a man looking bored and contemplative in different locations: sitting alone on a swing, sitting at a table, and standing in an empty pool area. The text above the images reads, "When you finish the TV series you've been binging for the last month and now you have nothing to watch," humorously capturing the feeling of emptiness and waiting after completing a long binge-watching session.

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    Practical Strategies for a More Peaceful Life

    If you are in a tizzy every time the world isn’t moving at your ideal pace, it may be an excellent time to start being proactive about your waiting time. After all, little annoyances will always get in the way, so making the necessary adjustments to bide your time is a wise move.

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    Thankfully, patience is a muscle we can develop, according to Ramona Ford, PhD (Cleveland Clinic, 2024) (3). “It’s kind of like dancing. Everyone can improve with practice,” Ford says inspiringly.

    Waiting is challenging because cultural shifts have primed us to expect instant gratification. Fortunately, you can manage it through mindfulness by slowly building your tolerance for discomfort via listening and empathy. It may take time to master the perspective of patience, but it’s surely worth the wait. 
    #8

    The Look of The Excruciating Wait

    A Waiting meme featuring two images of a man in a suit looking frustrated and yelling. In the first image, he is gripping the bars of a fence, and in the second, he is looking upward with his mouth wide open in agony. The text overlay reads, "IT IS EXCRUCIATING TO WAIT ANY LONGER," humorously conveying the intense frustration of having to wait.

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    #9

    Waiting for an Apology

    A Waiting meme featuring a cartoon character with long blonde hair resting her head on her hand, looking bored and slightly annoyed. The text above reads, "Me waiting for him to apologize after I started an argument," humorously capturing the irony and impatience of waiting for an apology after being the one to initiate the conflict.

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    #10

    A Lesson in Patience

    A Waiting meme featuring a close-up of an anime character's intense eye, surrounded by an orange mask. The text above the image reads, "Me waiting 4 years to buy a $1000 Phone for $200," and the caption below the eye states, "Patience is necessary to reach one's goal," humorously depicting the determination and patience required to wait for a significant price drop on a phone.

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    Francois
    Francois
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And zero years of security updates left. Gets hacked, lose all savings and the house.

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    #11

    “Wake Me Up When You're Done”

    A Waiting meme featuring a person lying on a store aisle floor, covered with a blanket and a small lamp beside them, as if they are preparing to sleep. The text above reads, "When you go to the store with your mom and she sees someone she knows and starts talking to them," humorously capturing the feeling of boredom and endless waiting when a parent unexpectedly stops to chat during a shopping trip.

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    #12

    Waiting for Productivity to Arrive

    A Waiting meme featuring a young gorilla sitting in the grass, looking intently at a small dandelion flower it holds in its hand. The text above reads, "First day back after a long weekend and you're just sitting at your desk like," humorously depicting the distracted and contemplative mood people often have when returning to work after a break.

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    #13

    The Hidden Dangers of Facebook Marketplace 

    A Waiting meme showing a man standing outside in the snow, holding a toaster and looking around cautiously. The text above reads, "Waiting for some stranger to arrive because my girl decided to risk my life by selling our toaster on Facebook marketplace for $4," humorously conveying the anxiety and apprehension of waiting for a buyer in a potentially sketchy situation.

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    #14

    “Your Order Has Been Shipped”

    A Waiting meme showing a pug sitting upright on a chair, looking out of a glass door as if waiting for something. The text above reads, "'Your order has been shipped' Me:" humorously illustrating the anticipation and eagerness felt while waiting for a package to arrive, using the dog's posture to convey the emotion of expectant waiting.

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    #15

    “The Hardest Part”

    A Waiting meme featuring a small, fluffy kitten with a sad expression, looking down with big, round eyes. The text above and below the image reads, "THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART," humorously emphasizing the difficulty of being patient, using the kitten's forlorn look to convey the emotional struggle of waiting.

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    WFH Forever
    WFH Forever
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎶Every day you see one more card You take it on faith, you take it to the heart The waiting is the hardest part🎶

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    #16

    Sitting Pretty

    A Waiting meme featuring a young child dressed in a pink princess dress, wearing a tiara, sunglasses, and jewelry, sitting with a serious expression and hands folded in her lap. The text above reads, "Me waiting for my problems to solve themselves," humorously portraying a sense of impatience and expectation for problems to disappear on their own while dressed in an over-the-top, regal outfit.

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    #17

    “Still No Season Four on the Horizon”

    A Waiting meme featuring two images of SpongeBob SquarePants sitting in an armchair. The top image shows a cheerful, bright-eyed SpongeBob with the text, "First year waiting for season 4." The bottom image depicts a tired and worn-out SpongeBob in a dark, messy room with empty bottles and trash, with the text, "Second year of waiting for season 4." The meme humorously conveys the frustration and fatigue that grows over time when waiting for a new season of a show.

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    #18

    Overwhelmed Little Man

    A Waiting meme showing a young boy holding a toy garbage truck while standing in front of a real garbage truck, flanked by two smiling garbage men. The boy looks overwhelmed and emotional. The text above reads, "'Quincy's been waiting all week to show the garbage men his garbage truck. But, in the moment, he was overwhelmed in the presence of his heroes.'" The meme captures the anticipation and excitement of waiting for a special moment, only to be overcome with emotion when it finally arrives.

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    #19

    That Long-Awaited Cuddle

    A Waiting meme featuring a small kitten resting its head contentedly against a person's arm, eyes closed in relaxation. The text above reads, "When you're waiting for your favorite person and you finally see them," humorously expressing the joy and comfort of being reunited with a loved one, mirrored in the kitten's peaceful expression.

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    38points
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    Auntriarch
    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm pretty certain this is me when Mr Auntriarch gets back from archery. Except not so cute

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    #20

    “What Happens in the Meantime”

    A Waiting meme in a four-panel comic format featuring a simple cartoon dog. The first panel reads "He protec," showing the dog looking alert by a door. The second panel reads "He attac," with the dog barking at a raccoon. The third panel says, "But most importantly," with the dog sitting patiently by the door. The final panel reads, "He wait for his human to get back," depicting the dog lying down, waiting outside a house. The meme humorously showcases the dog's loyalty and patience while waiting for its owner.

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    References

    1. Charles Courtemanche, Garth Heutel, and Patrick McAlvanah. “Impatience, Incentives, and Obesity.” Royal Economic Society, 2014. | https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.gsu.edu/dist/f/528/files/2014/06/ecoj12124-utphys.pdf

    2. Shaunacy Ferris. “12 Impatient Facts About Waiting in Line.” Mental Floss, July 5, 2016. | https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/national-park-availability-alerts

    3. Cleveland Clinic. “How To Be Patient: 6 Strategies To Help You Keep Your Cool.” Cleveland Clinic, June 5, 2024. | https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-be-patient

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